British warship ‘fights off’ hundreds of attack drones

HMS St Albans demonstrated its ability to counter aerial threats during a demanding Sharpshooter gunnery exercise, facing over 100 simulated drone attacks off the Welsh coast.

The exercise, which incorporated lessons from recent Red Sea incidents, marked the first time aerial drones were included in the Royal Navy’s Sharpshooter training.

The training, designed to test the frigate’s gunnery and operations room teams, involved a mix of traditional remote-controlled boat threats and dynamic aerial drones.

Run in collaboration with QinetiQ and Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST), the exercise featured Banshee Whirlwind drones launched from the Aberporth Range.

These drones, small and fast with a top speed of 200 knots, flew low over the waves to simulate challenging attack profiles. HMS St Albans engaged these threats with precision, utilising medium-calibre weapons and small arms under the direction of its operations room team.

Commander Matthew Teare, HMS St Albans’ Commanding Officer, highlighted the value of the exercise: “The quality of training has been better than I have ever seen. It has been a career highlight thanks to the realism of the scenario. A fantastic experience and one which has been hugely beneficial to my ship’s company.”

Sharpshooter exercises have evolved since their inception in 2019 to keep pace with modern warfare. Recent operational experiences, including drone engagements by HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond, have shaped the exercise’s scenarios.

Simon Galt, Managing Director Air at QinetiQ, described the training as “invaluable”: “Our aim with Sharpshooter is to ensure as immersive, comprehensive and dynamic a training experience as possible, preparing the ship’s crew for the very current evolving threat landscape.”

The success of HMS St Albans in fending off over 100 drone attacks underscores the importance of such exercises. The next Sharpshooter trial is scheduled for spring.