British warships ‘open fire’ in Mediterranean

Royal Navy warships HMS Richmond and HMS Dauntless have been sharpening their gunnery skills in the Mediterranean as part of the UK’s flagship global naval mission, Operation Highmast.

The two ships, deployed with Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25), carried out live-fire drills to test and maintain upper deck weapons systems, reinforcing the group’s layered defences.

“Since the days of Nelson’s Navy, gunnery training has been critical in keeping us sharp and accurate. We’re keeping that tradition alive,” tweeted HMS Richmond, highlighting the enduring value of naval marksmanship.

Since the days of Nelson’s Navy, gunnery training has been critical in keeping us sharp and accurate. We’re keeping that tradition alive.#CSG25#OpHighmast#NATO#StrongerTogether @COMUKCSG @HMSDauntless pic.twitter.com/AfXlhEbUWN

— HMS Richmond (@HMS_Richmond) May 2, 2025

HMS Dauntless added: “As part of the task group we continue to practice our skills to protect each other. Our upper deck gunners practiced their skills and aim with HMGs and GPMGs.”

The training comes during Exercise Med Strike, a large-scale NATO drill involving 21 warships, 3 submarines, 41 fast jets, and over 8,000 personnel from across the alliance, including Italian, French, American, Turkish and Canadian forces. The exercise represents the first major test of the strike group’s capabilities during its eight-month global deployment.

As part of the taskgroup we continue to practice our skills to protect each other. Our upper deck gunners practiced their skills and aim with HMG’s and GPMG’s.@COMUKCSG @RoyalNavy #CSG25 #StrongerTogether #NATO pic.twitter.com/EIDHIxb8Ap

— HMS Dauntless (@HMSDauntless) May 2, 2025

Led by HMS Prince of Wales, the Carrier Strike Group will continue on to conduct further operations with air, sea and land forces across the Mediterranean, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan and Australia. Between now and December, the UK-led group will work with over a dozen allied nations.

This is the second global outing for a British carrier strike group in recent years, following the inaugural deployment led by HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021 during the Covid pandemic. Operation Highmast unfolds in a more volatile geopolitical climate, as global threats to freedom of navigation and regional stability have intensified.

The mission, commanded by Commodore James Blackmore, aims to reaffirm Britain’s commitment to security in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific. Over 4,500 British personnel are taking part, including 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Marines, nearly 600 RAF personnel, and 900 soldiers.

A frigate and a destroyer

HMS Richmond is a Type 23 Duke-class frigate, originally designed for anti-submarine warfare but now adapted for a wider range of tasks. She is equipped with the Sea Ceptor surface-to-air missile system, a 4.5-inch Mark 8 naval gun, and advanced sonar systems, making her effective against airborne, surface and underwater threats. Her roles range from escort duties and maritime security to international exercises and disaster relief.

HMS Dauntless is a Type 45 Daring-class destroyer, one of the Royal Navy’s most capable air defence platforms. Armed with the Sea Viper missile system, which includes the Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles, she is designed to shield entire naval task groups from enemy aircraft and missile threats. Her integrated radar and combat systems are among the most sophisticated in service, allowing her to detect and engage multiple targets simultaneously across hundreds of miles.