The Royal Navy will take part in International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 23, the second largest naval exercise in the world taking place across the Middle East.
Over the next three weeks, UK forces will be heavily involved in tackling a range of threats, including terrorism, smuggling, sea mines, and aerial drone attacks from Cyprus to Kenya, Bahrain, and the Arabian Sea.
All of the Royal Navy’s Gulf-based ships are participating in the exercise, alongside dive/bomb disposal teams from the UK, Royal Marines boarding and search specialists, drone operators, and medics, with aerial support provided by the RAF from its base in Akrotiri, Cyprus.
The three-week US-led exercise involves over 7,500 military personnel from 50 nations, spanning thousands of miles across the Middle East and Africa.
They will commit more than two dozen ships, a dozen dive/bomb disposal teams, 15 aircraft, 26 board and search teams, and over 40 crewless systems operating above, on, and below the waves.
RFA Cardigan Bay will serve as a floating testbed for a series of technology trials that have the potential to revolutionise naval warfare, not only in the Gulf region but worldwide.
Several of the UK’s international partners will also be using the vessel as a hub to test their equipment.
‘All of the Royal Navy’s Gulf-based ships are participating in the exercise.’
So how many is that?
T23 HMS Lancaster, RFA Cardigan Bay and a few Hunt and Sandown class minehunters. There’s the new autonomous minehunter, Harrier, although that’s more of a boat than a ship. I think HMS Duncan was also heading for the Gulf after exercises in the Med so that could make an appearance. Audacious isn’t Med-based anymore, having just come back after a year and last I heard, HMS Trent was still alongside in Gib. I still don’t know what’s wrong with it. There was drone testing reported in IMX 22, with Pumas and Madfox. So as well as Harrier tests this year,… Read more »
As its the F1 GP this weekend nothing will start until Monday! My Grandson and his parents had a great day for the Qualifiers yesterday and will be their for the Race today. Not my bag…I will be having a pint and watching the Football instead. Expect one of the Rivers to take part somewhere . The Exercise covers a massive area from the Med, Red Sea, Africa, Indian Ocean and Gulf so there is scope for them to join in somehow. We had a contingent of JSDF ships in last week( MCMV Support Ship, Destroyer and MCMV ) and… Read more »
Tamar has been in Diego Garcia, so sounds like a candidate.
I must admit I’m probably too keen on finding out what the Camcopters can do and while I know they aren’t scheduled to be operational until next year, we hear about testing going on such as at REPMUS last year, when they and Lancaster have both been present; I’m probably adding one and one and getting three. I need to be patient!
Thanks Jon. Good info. That’s quite a good number of vessels.
Not Prince of Wales thats for sure….😂
Should be back by spring from the latest reports.
“A second, separate shaft on board HMS Prince of Wales has been found to have “similar issues” to those which caused the aircraft carrier to retreat for repairs last August.
So, well and truly shafted for now it appears!
It is a lemon matey, better to have had three smaller ones but then matelots like a gin palace.
But most matelots who served on carriers don’t agree with you! The reasons are long and I’m sure they can explain, but you’ve never liked the carriers even under your previous avatar on STRN….cheers.
Not back in operations by then, unfortunately. It’ll take until Spring to fix the drive train issues, then the ship goes into further maintenance and will have to be worked up again after nearly a year out, ready for operations in the Autumn. You have to feel sorry for the crew.
Agreed, A bloody shame.
This is what happens when a polish plumber visits and has a look around and tells you oh you need a new toilet seat oh and I don’t know when it will happen but your flush is needing replacing oh and……..did I mention call out was £3.6 million plus tax plus vat plus admin. Let’s just call it £4million straight. Sound familiar 🙂
No. I find Polish tradesmen infinitely more reliable than UK ones
Why is having an asset out of action for an extended period, amusing in the current climate?
Reminds me of a certain SA80 but on a bigger scale. Then some vets still have a sense of humour.
I never remember the SA80 having aircraft land on it! But what do I know as the current SA80 is a good enough weapon fit for the average soldier! As for vets, sorry I’ve never fixed a dog, have you?
Valskermspringer stomkop 💩
Ah I recognise that from my time with 44 in Bloemfontein 💩👜
Would it be quicker to say what vessels are not taking part haha…
😂
1
An interesting interview with VADM TF 59, the Bahrain based drone operating task force. The UK provides the Deputy commander . A lot of video of the sort of things I see puttling around in theese waters everyday
Video: Interview with VADM Cooper on TF 59 Milestones, US 5th Fleet – Naval News
One thing I notice about U.K. forces and allies is the large amount of big multinational exercises taking place.
The RN are doing a great job. Potentially 4-5 ships out of the 24 said to be taking part.
These exercises are what helps make the forces top class.
Being able to operate together with allies is no easy task.
Cyprus base is Fantastic asset along with the other bases doted around the world. Then the mobile navy carriers fill in any gaps.
Please do not use the word massive for two dozen ships (no mention how many of these are carriers destroyers and submarines, and how many are support or minor war vessals). NATO and Mod very often play the “animal farm” game of rewriting history. 24 ships used to be a small exercise now they call it massive. Only one british ship is mentioned and that is only a support ship. I have been on at least 5 exercises or operations that nato have claimed to be the biggest since the cold war. Each has been smaller than its predecessor and… Read more »
Completely agree, the scale of NATO naval exercise’s in the 1970’s and 1980’s was often an order of magnitude greater than today. 100+ ships and subs was commonplace, although there was some exaggeration even then. I was once the naval liaison officer on a cross channel ferry which whilst theoretically a STUFT, in practice continued to ply her trade as normal! For a British Army perspective between then and now – look up Exercise Lionheart 1984.