Submarine-hunting helicopter lands on Royal Navy's newest warship for the first time

A Merlin Mk2 helicopter landed on Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Tamar during the ship’s latest training mission at sea.

The Flying Tigers of 814 Naval Air Squadron provided the submarine-hunting aircraft as Tamar patrolled the coastline of the south-west.

Lieutenant Commander Michael Hutchinson, Tamar's skipper said: ‘This first Merlin landing, completed on New Year’s Day, was the latest demonstration of the increasing capability of the ship and the first interaction with Culdrose’s Merlins.’

The Commando variant of the helicopter – which can carry up to two dozen Royal Marines into battle – has already been tested with HMS Medway, currently deployed in the Caribbean.

Packed with sophisticated sensors, the helicopter is more than twice as heavy as a Wildcat helicopter, which Tamar worked with last year.

As part of Tamar’s latest venture at sea, the crew also had a chance to get to grips with some of the latest drone tech in the navy.

Specialists from Culdrose, the home of 814 NAS, tested out their pilotless aircraft to see how it could be used in front-line operations.

Two Puma aircraft from 700X Naval Air Squadron, the navy’s only drone unit, are also aboard HMS Tamar.

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The drones can reach speeds of more than 50mph and can be used to track fast boats – often used by drug smugglers to try and outrun authorities.

The aim is for Tamar to develop new tactics and hone skills while working with Royal Marines.

Although the new River-class ship has no hangar, her large flight deck can host most military helicopters.

Lt Cdr Hutchinson said the addition of the kit, and all the upgrades to the warship’s tech, would only help to make Tamar – and her four sister ships – a more effective tool in the war on terrorism.

‘These ships are the ‘Swiss Army knife’ of defence and you will see from what Tamar achieved in 2020 and how she is being operated that they are a fantastic addition to the Royal Navy,’ he added.

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