HMS Cattistock, one of the Royal Navy’s Hunt-class minehunters, recently worked with a nuclear submarine and a Merlin helicopter off the Scottish coast.

These activities demonstrate the importance of teamwork across the Royal Navy’s diverse units.

HMS Cattistock worked in coordination with the Fleet Air Arm’s Merlin Mk2 helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron.

This partnership exemplified how minehunters rely on aerial platforms to extend their reach and enhance situational awareness, particularly in demanding maritime environments.

The ship also conducted exercises with the Royal Navy Submarine Service, operating alongside a Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered submarine. This served to demonstrate the critical importance of interoperability between surface ships and submarines. Such joint operations enable the Royal Navy to refine its tactics, ensuring its units work effectively together to address complex maritime scenarios, including mine clearance and anti-submarine warfare.

HMS Cattistock’s activities highlight its contribution not only to minehunting operations but also to the Royal Navy’s broader objectives. By integrating with advanced helicopters and submarines, the vessel exemplifies the “One Navy” approach, where diverse platforms combine to strengthen collective capabilities.

These exercises demonstrate how the Royal Navy’s assets work together to ensure the security of the UK’s waters and its strategic interests.

The recent training drills serve as a reminder of HMS Cattistock’s adaptability and the Royal Navy’s readiness to tackle a range of challenges.

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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7 COMMENTS

    • Andy it is two areas. As an Ex Submariner we were the best in the 70’s, 80, and start ofthe 90’s. During that period we were also the best at Minehunting although the French had some pretty go stuff to be fare. All go because the last 30 years of Governments have let the ball slip and now it is coming home to roost. Cut Cut Cut, ooops we face a threat we can’t cope with no matter what they say!!!

  2. Why is HMS Triumph denied the user of her name? As the only remaining Trafalgar class it’s hardly a security breach to use the name!

  3. It was great to operate at sea with a Trafalgar Class SSN

    May I correct that …

    It was great to operate at sea with the sole in service Trafalgar Class SSN

    There FIFY

  4. I’ll be curious to see how the autonomous MCM boats we have a handful of, with no motherships, the first one is laid up in Birkenhead with no crew, will operate alongside SSNS and Merlin helicopters?
    I assume once the rest of the Hunts are gone, they wont?

  5. George, when you write: “…operating alongside ‘A’ Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered submarine.”

    Do you not mean THE Trafalgar class submarine?

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