HMS Dauntless has been operating alongside the French Navy during exercise ORION 26, joining the carrier strike group centred on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
The Type 45 destroyer has been working with the French Air Defence Frigate Amiral Ronarc’h to refine over-the-horizon targeting, integrating her sensors and combat systems with a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron. In a post during the exercise, the ship described “impressive interoperability in #ORION2026” as the British and French vessels conducted joint targeting activity.
“Impressive interoperability in #ORION2026: HMS Dauntless honing over-the-horizon enemy targeting with Wildcat helicopter alongside French FDI Amiral Ronarc’h. 🇬🇧🇫🇷 Stronger together – Type 45 precision meets next-gen French frigate power! 💪 #RoyalNavy #MarineNationale#815NAS pic.twitter.com/vWqhdn1sGU
— HMS Dauntless (@HMSDauntless) February 14, 2026
The French Navy confirmed that Dauntless had joined the Charles de Gaulle carrier group for the exercise, describing the deployment as part of wider Franco-British cooperation.
In a further demonstration of multinational integration, French fleet tanker Jacques Stosskopf conducted a double underway replenishment at sea, simultaneously supporting HMS Dauntless and the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate De Ruyter. The manoeuvre, described by the French as highly technical, underscored the level of coordination between the French, British and Dutch navies.
Exercise ORION 26 forms part of a broader programme of high-end allied training designed to strengthen interoperability, sustain carrier strike operations and rehearse complex multi-domain warfare alongside European partners.
Welcome to the frigate Dauntless ! 🇬🇧
La frégate anglaise Dauntless rejoint le groupe aéronaval constitué autour du porte-avions Charles de Gaulle pour sa participation à l’exercice ORION 26 !
🇫🇷🤝🇬🇧#orion26 pic.twitter.com/pJm0cdeHDX— French Carrier Strike Group (@French_CSG) February 11, 2026
Dauntless is the second of the Royal Navy’s six Daring-class guided missile destroyers, designed primarily to provide area air defence for carrier strike groups. Displacing between 8,000 and 8,500 tonnes and measuring over 152 metres in length, the class is built around the Sea Viper air defence system. This combines the SAMPSON multi-function radar and S1850M long-range surveillance radar with Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles housed in 48 Sylver vertical launch cells.
The ships are powered by an integrated electric propulsion system driven by Rolls-Royce WR-21 gas turbines and diesel generators, delivering speeds in excess of 30 knots and a range of more than 7,000 nautical miles at cruising speed. A complement of around 190 personnel operate the vessel, with accommodation available for additional embarked staff.
Beyond her primary anti-air role, Dauntless carries a 4.5-inch Mark 8 naval gun, 30mm cannons, Phalanx close-in weapon systems and heavy machine guns. Anti-ship capability is set to transition to the Naval Strike Missile following the retirement of Harpoon. The class is also undergoing progressive upgrades, including the Sea Viper Evolution programme, which will enhance ballistic missile defence capability, and the introduction of Sea Ceptor to replace Aster 15 in due course.
