Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dauntless is back on front-line duties after undergoing a major overhaul.
The vessel recently participated in large-scale military exercises off the Colombian coast, signalling its return to full operational capacity.
HMS Dauntless has been deployed to the Caribbean Sea to counter drug smuggling in collaboration with the US Coast Guard, while also providing support to British Overseas Territories during the region’s hurricane season from June to November.
Kicking off the deployment, Dauntless, now outfitted with brand new efficient engines, took part in Exercise Unitas, the longest-running multinational military drills globally. Exercise Unitas, ongoing since 1959, unites nations in their fight for regional stability and prosperity and is regarded as the United States Southern Command’s most significant exercise.
Dauntless, marking its second participation in Unitas, represents the UK’s commitment to a deeper relationship with Colombia, the only Latin American country that is a NATO partner nation.
Approximately 7,000 sailors and marines, 26 ships, three submarines, and 25 aircraft from 20 countries were involved in Unitas. The exercise occurred off the coast of Cartagena, as Colombia’s navy celebrated its 200th anniversary.
The nations involved included Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, Spain, South Korea, United States, and Uruguay. The task group participated in warfare operations, while Dauntless operated in its primary role as an air defence destroyer.
One part of me thinks that sending our newly upgraded AAW asset to the Caribbean to work on counter drug work with the US Coastguard is overkill.
On the other hand taking part in those exercises in a very good way of demonstrating commitment to our Allies and gives her a real work out in a very hot environment.
I just wish they would speed up the AAW uplift programme.
👍ABC, classic case of, six of one and half a dozen of the other. But in my humble opinion, there’s no substitute for experience. Which is hard to put a price on in any event.
👍 👌
Also good for British sailors morale; nice port of calls.
Lastly, how does landlocked Paraguay have a navy?
Ahh yes, nice calls of port. AK. Most countries have stone “frigates”,but unicorns are beyond me 🤔😕🤣👍
Morning mate, another way of looking at this deployment is that we have nothing else we can send. Its hurricane season at the moment, so providing a HADR unit is essential, as we only have a B2 OPV in the area with limited capability for this role. If we could, we would probably have sent either a Tanker (Wave/Tide) or a Bay class, with a helo or 2 as they are probably the best fit for this role. Given our RFA manning state and other commitments, thats no longer an option, shows where we now are with our capabilities in… Read more »
You both make good points.
But either way it is getting a good hot weather workout to test the PiP as well as, no doubt, other enhancements.
Good morning from Florida. There was a headline in the US press over the weekend that the water around the Keys was over 100F and I would suggest that she is getting an incredible testing of all the upgrades etc with temperatures that high. Plus she is showcasing the RN with countless allies not just USCG.
Exactly – all positives.
Depends what we have back home. We have a war raging in Europe and talk of Wagner trying underhand tactics into Poland. We really could do with some vessels at the ready to close the straight if needed
IF Wagner was to try something in Poland I wouldn’t fancy their chances TBH
Me neither but it could have a massive destabilising effect across europe and the wider world.