HMS Dauntless has set sail for the Caribbean to assist British Overseas Territories throughout the hurricane season and participate in anti-drug trafficking operations.

Departing from Portsmouth with cutting-edge engines – the first of her kind to undergo the Power Improvement Programme – the Type 45 destroyer has set course for the Caribbean.

Her journey commenced earlier this week, following a brief halt in Plymouth and the conclusion of a final weapons trial in the Channel.

The highly trained crew and state-of-the-art weapons and systems of the HMS Dauntless received a stamp of operational readiness last month after a rigorous nine-month training period.

“Dauntless was declared ready for operations last month after nine intensive months of training, passing all demanding trials, tests and finally a gruelling assessment of her crew and all weapons and systems,” a press release confirmed.

During the Caribbean’s hurricane season, which spans from June to November, Dauntless will be on high alert to provide swift responses to natural disasters. By working in close partnership with local services and authorities, the ship will ensure timely and effective aid is delivered in case of any natural calamities.

HMS Dauntless will also be actively involved in monitoring illicit activities in the region. “Dauntless will also patrol the Caribbean to counter illicit activities, in particular working with US Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in the region,” the release outlined.

You can read more on this here.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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75 COMMENTS

  2. Bit of smart planning as she can support overseas territories whilst undergoing hot weather trials post PIP and then escort PoW if her planned autumn deployment to the US for further F35 trials goes ahead.

    • In addition to PIP post-installation trials/monitoring and possible support of HMS PWLS during autumn trials, wonder whether it is planned that HMS Dauntless will utilize SAMPSON radar to monitor unauthorized air traffic (i.e., smugglers) w/in Caribbean?

      • If I recall correctly, and that is not always true these days, she was the RN contribution to UNITAS 2012 and visited Key West – which is also home to JIATFS who do an incredible job with the aid of the whole of the US alphabet of Agencies and 20 plus (I believe) other nations represented. And so I would think her radar will be in full use!

  3. I can see the headlines. £1 billion destroyer sent on humanitarian aide mission. Kinda has a point. We need foreign aid budget to build a few littoral action support vessels. Something 7-10k tons with a well deck, helicopter deck and hangar space and ability to desalinate water with decent medical facilities and a largish vehicle deck/ stores areas.

    • What about something like HMNZS Canterbury. Decent size designed around being a logistics vessel, with a large flight deck, ability to deploy landers either with its cranes or stern deck (I don’t believe it’s a flooding deck though), has an inbuilt hospital and space for containers to be able to configure it more if needed.

      It is also armed with a 25mm, which I’m sure could be increased to either the rivers 30mm or type 31 40mm so that it can be used to patrol the Caribbean when it isn’t be used for humanitarian missions.

      • The America class is £3 billion+ship, its 200 feet longer than invincible and its displacement is more than double.
        We will see both carriers at sea this autumn.

        • Indeed America compared to Invincible is laughable. They compare to our previous fall sized carriers.

        • RN could easily get a class of 3 Mistrals for under £1bn. Make it a class of 9 and it can replace Albion-class, Bay-class, Argus, and fulfil the T32 role.

      • The US are not moving away from super carriers??? You must be joking. They would have 10 more if possible. They did a recent design study into smaller carriers and threw it out like they always do every 10 to 20 years when someone comes along with a good idea.

        We can afford a mistrel class size ship ontop of the carriers, It would be stupid to get rid of of any of the carriers to replace it with something that does less of a job, but is still a carrier. We need to find the funds if we want a credible amphibious capability. Not destroy the carrier strike ability to replace it with an amphibious capability.

        • Agree the QE carrier is actually a masterpiece of design efficiency. Without doubt they will save our collective bacon during their planned 50 year service life.
          Compare an America class to a QE. No comparison the QE is a far more adaptable and usable full carrier design.
          I think a couple smaller LPHDs are however needed to act as useful disaster relief and humanitarian aide vessels and auxiliary ASW carriers in the North Atlantic if helicopters and enough drones available to kit them out.

          • Totally agree with you Mr Bell in the two extra LPHDs, capable of helos, drones and a few F35Bs if needed. Will complement the LRGs too and free up the carriers and CSGs to do their thing.

      • The US is not moving away from supercarriers. There are two Ford class carriers under construction (Kennedy and Enterprise) and two more planned -one set to be laid down in 2026 (USS Doris Miller) and one in 2027. There is only one America class LHA under construction – USS Fallujah.

        • I’m pretty sure Bougainville hasn’t been handed over yet, and when it is they’ll likely start construction on LHA-10, money for which was included in the 2023 appropriations bill.

      • As I recall, the hull design of Canterbury is based on that of a Manx ferry, and proved not to be ideal for high seas work…..

        • Agree HMNZs Canterbury is reportedly a poor sea keeper, unagreeably lively in high sea states and can’t operate in any ship to shore or aviation role if sea state is force 4 or above.
          Least that’s according to an in-depth analysis published in 2022 Warships IFR and the head of the New Zealand navy.

          • spot on Mr Bell. The RNZN is unhappy with the class. They have on occasion made the news here in NZ with ongoing technical issues and poor seakeeping in the Southern ocean.

          • Evening Klonkie, And that piddly 25mm has always given me the sh*ts! I do wonder at times who decides on the level of armaments on NZ ships. The new Tanker too, key asset, has only got a single Phalanx and 2*12.5mms. Surely a second place for another Phalanx or 1-2*30/40mm RWS’? Anyway, it’s none of my business.

          • Might need some AShMs shortly for the P-8s and Frigates. They could even upgrade, upgun and maybe missiles for the two Otago patrol vessels. They still look very useful.

          • Bud, In truth I’d rather see both Protector class opvs retired and replaced with a third frigate, once the ANZACs retire. Possibly type 31?

            You are spot on re your comment on some from of Ashm system, Id even settle for Harpoon.

          • Hi QD63. I’m of the view these ships were a cop out for not ordering a third ANZAC class frigate by the government of the days. Look what they ended up with, a ship class arguably unfit for purposes.

          • Evening Klonkie, like you, wanting to see your Navy strong even if small. Yes 3 same type frigates could be more useful especially for more long range power and presence and with a decent ASW helo. The T31/A140s are looking very adaptable and have good range and seem very affordable. I also like the look of the Canadian Harry DeWolf type AOPVs for patrol work. Anyway, your NZ defence budget is being increased so hoping for some capability uptake.

      • Only the first two ships of the America class are optimised as Lightning carriers, having had the well deck removed for a larger hangar space and increased aircraft maintenance capacity. I think America and Tripoli would struggle to undertake surge operations with twenty F-35s much less sustain them, and LHA-8 onwards are unlikely to operate more than ten.

      • Behave Andy. POW is not being stripped of parts for QE. Stores transfer between sister vessels is a decades old practice when in refit. All Navy’s do this. It is not somthing that needs criticism. Planned upgrades to POW are being brought forward. So they are killing to birds with one stone. She will soon be back in the fleet and will provide decades of carrier strike capability. This is why we have two vessels.

        • I recently ( within the last 2 months) replaced a Sea Boat davit on a colonial cousins ship…it came from another ship that is laid up in the CONUS.
          Last week we fitted sea valves. They had a 2 YEAR delivery forecast on new items. Instead we where given old valves from another ship, overhauled , tested and certified them and then fitted them.

          In RN parlance It was a STOROB to clear an OPDEF although the cousins call it something different.

    • Or does she have another mission?

      Something that involves deep warm water……

      You could do warm water trials in the Med soon…..but it isn’t deep.

      Just a thought?

    • “Join the Navy…See the World” as long as its the GIUK Gap, Gulf or Baltic. Thats not a great incentive to stay in…
      Ok the Baltic… ( Reminiscing …) I will revise the above and say the Baltic visits is a reason to stay in…
      😉
      FF/DD traditionally did Windies Guardship. Heck I was on a 4 Ship deployment out there for 4 Months doing Dartmouth Training Squadron in the early 90s. People I know and served with still discuss that trip now. Its those sort of things that make you stay in, not 30 days of action stations and defence watches in the BAM or SOH.
      All the ships on DTS carried Disaster Relief stores just in case.
      Nowadays, as Sudan recently showed, Get in quickly by air and then send the ships later after the situation is stabilised to do infrastructure work.

      • Hi GB

        Hope you’re well. I think I’m correct in stating the Dartmouth squadron is long gone? Back in your day, this must have been HMS Bristol and a couple of Leander frigates?

  4. This will be the job of the type 31 going forwards. But a good chance to see if those shiny new engines can hold up. I do think we need a class of multi purpose auxillary/mine/asw mothership type of ships. Something commercially designed and built, has a well deck and is able to carry dozens of smaller unmanned vessels for mine counter measures or mapping a huge area with ASW dippers and smaller tails. They wouldn’t cost that much and could be manned by the RFA and RN with a small detachment of RM

    • Agreed, I keep putting forward the Damen Crossover Combattant. A frigate up front, a huge flex deck to take vessels up to the size of the CB-90/LCVP, she could carry six of these and space for 120 Marines.With three launch postions for these smaller vessels, one Port/ Starboard and Stern. Depending on the hanger configuration two Merlins or a Merlin and several RUAVs. All on about 5,500 tons. A frigate weapons fit of two CIWS postions, main gun postion up to 5 in, and four Mk41 Blocks. They can be also fitted with a containerised Captas, carry say six Vikingsand land a Chinook. So in a max fit she could have a 5 in gun, 1 x SeaRam, 1 x CIWS, 2x 30mm guns, 4x 0.5in MGs, 4 blocks of Mk41s to carry 32 Sea Ceptor, 32 Sea Ceptor-ER, 16 Cruise missiles and 8 containorised anti ship missiles such as the NSM.

      How is that for a ready design, as a general purpose ship of war.

      There are several other vessels in the same family so check it out. I went for the Combattant, as the RN does not have enough frigates. This is the design I would use for the T32. I would build four of these and an extra three T31s. I am sorry but I am a believer in the power of three. This means One T32 with two T31s for a forward deployed group. One Group based in Gib ( Force H), One in Oman (Eastern Fleet), One in the Falklands ( South American Squadron), one undergoing workup/Norway (Home Fleet) and one in refit. I even have names for the four T32s, Nelson, Rodney, Hood, Cunningham. Oh I forgot Government is speaking about 5 T32s, I reduced it to four saving money to build the extra three T31s.

      If we can ever get our act together then with the Multi Role Support Ship that was spoken about but gone quiet and build these ships, I would go with the BMT Ellida. One MRSS per T32-31 group. The Ellida can deliver Royal Marines about 250, vehicles,equipment, supplies using landing craft from a well deck, helicopters with twin hanger, enhanced medical facilities and RAS.

      What is the extra build cost for the T32s £2billion, T31s £1billion and the Ellida’s £1.5 billion. So £5.5 billion for five battlegroups. It also saves money. The T26s and T45 could then be allocated to the carriers and LPDs.Here we save even more money if the carrier or LPD/LHD is in refit, repair or stood down then there escort group is placed in the same condition. If we could get and extra £3billion we could replace the Albions with HMAS Canberra type x 4 LHDs. Two LHDs with a Carrier forms a very potent expeditonary force. Combine the Expeditonary force with the forward deployed battlegroup we have the ability to land two armoured battlegroups of the beach. In times of peace one LHD would be in refit working up, one LHD would be in home port used by the Army for learning how a ship works under the suppervision of a RN training crew and FOST, one LHD with a carrier group and one LHD as an independent assault group.

      The LHDs could also work alongside the T26s, two T26s and an LHD with 6 F35Bs and 12 Merlins ASWs could form a ASW group or convoy escort group.

      Yes I know money money money. However, Government is speaking about the T32, so I would expect that is in a future cost calculation. Government have spoken about the MRSS (I think as a replacement for Albion/Bay class). So that again is a future cost calculation. So the complete new build would cost £4 billion. So lets say we start a rebuild program with what we are building now, what government is planing for and my new construction over a ten year period.

      If we can then get the 15 SSN(R)s that people are speaking about then the RN would become the third most powerful navy in the world, the most powerful in Europe. However I think I would prefer 12 SSN(R)s and six AIP subs based out of Northern Norway. AIP subs are a bit more sneaky than a nuc. Combined with the Surface force that I think we need then it gives other posibilities. The Army would form the Battle Groups of the LHDs that would mean they would have four Armoured and four Boxer Battle Groups trained for assault by sea. That is a very big Brigade or small Division. Combined with the Air Assault Brigade and Rapaid Reaction Brigade you have a mobile division.

      So please don’t tell me we could not find an extra £500 million per year for extra surface vessels ove the next ten year. Also remember a large part will come back to the government in taxes or VAT, not inclding people coming of benifits.

      As for the extra SSNs that has been banded around, I don’t know the cost but an extra 8 nucs will be £12 billion+. So my extra £4 billion for surface ships over a ten year program that will give the army and RAF platforms to operate from all over the world, whilst giving countries something to think about. A good investment.

      As for a MCM/ROV etc design look at the BMT Slavas design, that could do the job. But I am still waiting for full details from BMT on this design including cost.

      • It all sounds far to sensible,
        I’m not sure about this 15 SSNR number for the U.K. due to if u add up the 8 for Australia and 7 astute boats it also comes out at the number 15.

        • Maybe it’s the RNs current 7 Astutes & 8 newer SSNRs? Does still seem a very large fleet number and sounds bloody expensive too!

    • I think BMT have proposed the Venari 80-85 design for these type roles and armed with up to a 57mm. Maybe with a stretched landing pad to take a larger helo and drones.

  5. So send a ship with some anti ballistic missile capability to a place that is unnecessary?
    Italians deployed the Caio Dulio Horizon destroyer in Poland for next 6 months.

    • Not that hot in Polish waters she needs to be tested, this is a sensible move and she or her sisters can return in the unlikely event of a threat.

    • I admit that was my first thought, why use an asset like a 45. Then again, if you factor in testing of the engines and her schedule going forward if it includes later escort of one of the carriers then it sort of makes sense.

      I’d rather a Wave with Helicopter or a T31 be used.

      • The type 31 are going to be in massive demand. They aren’t even in service yet. I think they obviously need to put the order upto 10 vessels and be done with all the scratching about for a surface warship tasking duty.

        • Absolutely. The general dogsbodies of the RN, allowing T26 T45 to be spared for their prime role.
          That, at least, is how my brain sees it?

      • Last year they used an icebreaker in the Caribbean. Is a destroyer really more outlandish?

        • On the face of it, no.

          My thought process is the icebreaker won’t be escorting a carrier or needed for another vital AD task, for which our T45s which are so limited certainly are needed for.
          I see them as escorts for capital ships and groups of ships, not deployed as individuals. It screams to me a lack of options, due to lack of assets.

          That old capor again.

          Back in the day, for the WIGS ( West Indies Guard Ship ) task, were County or T42s used, I don’t know?

          • Given the Waves have a medical bay, an osmosis system, 915 tons of stores and a landing and and hanger for two helicopters ( not that we have any to spare) it would seem a better choice. crew is only 80

          • What’s the betting they’re cheaply disgarded to save a few quid while having years left? At least they’re laid up and still hope of a reprieve. And they have the double hull.

          • It wouldn’t surprise me TBH. We used to have one in service and one in refit at one point

    • I think availability wise the Type 45’s are in a good place at the moment, with 4 ready to go to Sea, probably no better chance to send HMS Dauntless to the Caribbean to stress test PIP and give the crew some joy 😂.

  6. Oh, the Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough. But there’s no ship as can match her helicopter for speed. Arr!

  7. The waters in the Gulf are warm so any trial of the new engines could take place there. and having a billion pound-plus warship there right now, given Iranian actions recently, would seem like a better use for the destroyer.

  8. The RN seems to go from one extreme to the other on these WI deployments. Using a scarce high-end T45 is not the obvious choice to cover for the OPV Medway whilst she in turn covers for Tyne (currently in refit) in the South Atlantic. But possibly a much needed sun, sea and sand deployment to a desirable part of the world for a major warship? CSG21 proved to be a stinker shore leave wise for circumstances beyond the control of the RN; ditto PoW and Westlant22. A lot of people join the RN for the promised travel to exotic locations, and years spent minding a ship in refit in places such as Liverpool, Devonport and Rosyth doesn’t encourage retention.

    • Or is it a case of killing two birds with one stone, the main one being a test of the new propulsion system in a hot climate?

      • Maybe, but given how scarce T45’s are, I would have sent her to the Indian Ocean (CTF50) and Arabian Gulf (Operation Kipion) – if only for a trial 3 rather than full 6-7 months deployment

        • Richard, I fully agree. A test of the powerplant upgrade in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf or even in the Med is a better use of a T45 than a jolly in the Carribean. If something goes wrong in the Arabian Gulf/Indian Ocean we have Gunbuster to sort it out. Hi Gunbuster.

          • Gunbuster report to the weapons room. We need you to lock and load. The pesky Iranian republican guards need sorting out.
            👍😂🤣😂

          • Worth mentioning that the Arabian Gulf is a much tougher environment than the West Indies. In July and August you are looking at day after day of 45C+ temps and 100% humidity – brutal on kit and people. The West Indies is almost mild by comparison – temps rarely exceeding mid-30C’s.

          • Harrier is out and about doing Warm Weather trials here for the MCM world.
            This weekend it was mid to high 30s and my swimming pool was a balmy 28 degs.
            Back to the UK in 10 days for a 2 week visit…I am packing warm clothing…

          • Still pretty cool then! By July the official temperature is always stuck at a max of 45C – any higher and the local law prohibits manual labour outdoors. So the thousands of Indians working on construction sites would have to go back to their camps and 4-to-a-room digs until it cooled. Can’t have that!

          • Waves 🖐.

            Currently doing maintenance and fixing the cousins ships and also a large UK one.

    • We have Chinese vessels stealing a WW2 wreck site and they could have sent it to intercept.
      But nope their off to the Caribbean for some rice and peas…mon

      • So send a T45 9000 Miles at 12 Knts or less (to save fuel and avoid refueling every fifth day) to arrive in 32 + days to find they have gone…
        Or you could send some lads from Poole who could be there in 15 hours by plane, borrow a boat and go for a swim carrying some oh I dont know…Stuff…

      • I thought robbing war sea graves was actually illegal? If true it’s a pretty low act, and likely disturbing war graves. A disgusting disregard for the fallen really. Who lets them get away with this? Maybe time for someone in politics to make a complaint about this and ask for a response?

  9. Takes me back to when I lived and worked there for 18 months back in 2005/6. It was HMS Iron Duke back then, which I never saw, but we did have the helicopter hovering very low overhead. They were doing their drug-sweep of the island, which, given its size, must have taken about an hour…

  10. one AAW type 45 costs Over £1.050 billion per ship incl. Research and development. Why can’t a lower cost warship be sent to do humanitarian/enforcement/presence mission in this case?

  11. I’ve just read about a chinese salvage company by deceit destroying the wreck of HMS Prince of Wales 1941. This is a disgrace and China should be brought to account. We need a branch of RN to enforce wreck protection as best they can. Send Dauntless out to deal with the vermin that have done this.

    • Said Chinese salavage ship has also desecrated Japanese war graves too.

      It turns its transponder off, so… well there’s an opportunity when it does. A ship that was never there can’t be sunk after all…

    • Hmmm…don’t believe a true operational test of upgraded Spearfish has yet been conducted…a salvo delivered amidships may have salutary value in signaling scum-sucking, slimeball ChiComs…🤔

  12. Seems crazily inapropriate to send one of our few operatonal air defence destroyers away to the Carribean on Hurricane relief with war in Europe right now. Maybe a GP T23, but better something less critical to our naval strength & national defence.

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