A Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron loaded and fired flares from HMS Prince of Wales, while embarked for Exercise Steadfast Defender.
The flares make up one portion of the Defensive Aid Suite (DAS) system, they are specifically designed to defeat Infra- Red seeking missiles (MANPADS).
The aircraft carrier is taking part in Exercise Steadfast Defender. Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024 will be the largest NATO exercise in decades.
NATO forces will be exercising across multiple regions and in multiple domains (maritime, land, air, space, and cyber).
The vast scale of this exercise will occur over several months and thousands of kilometres and will involve tens of thousands of Allied troops, all showcasing NATO capabilities to deter adversaries and defend allied territory.
Can they carry chaff as well?
And do these carriers have their own decoy launchers as carried by other RN ships? Don’t need to give away any state secrets here but I can’t see anything anywhere, but it’s a big ship so easy miss.
Potentially this article references terma and their video shows chaff launchers. Merlins as to be expected have chaff according to here