Devonport-based Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset has fired a Sting Ray torpedo off the coast of Scotland as part of ongoing anti-submarine warfare training.
The ship’s Twitter feed noted the exercise on 7 October and described the firing as a valuable training opportunity for both weapon engineers and the warfare department.
Always ready for Anti Submarine Operations #HMSSomerset fired another Stingray Torpedo. A great exercise for both the Weapon Engineers and the Warfare department. #Stingray #Torpedo #F82 #MTLS #ASW#WeAreNato #NATO #SNMG1 pic.twitter.com/2WlEStiofT
— HMS Somerset (@HMSSomerset) October 7, 2025
The firing forms part of a routine programme of at sea drills designed to keep the ship’s anti submarine skills sharp and to validate shipboard handling, launch and target acquisition procedures. Somerset has also been practising replenishment at sea with RFA Tidesurge to ensure the frigate can remain on station and sustained during extended operations.
Earlier in the month, the ship completed the first firing of a Naval Strike Missile as part of AEGIR 25, demonstrating long-range anti-ship capability alongside its ASW work.
HMS Somerset is a Type 23 frigate based at HMNB Devonport and normally sails with a company of around 185. The ship is fitted for anti submarine operations with twin 324 mm Sting ray torpedo tubes and towed sonar capability. Her weapon fit includes a 32 cell Sea Ceptor vertical launch system and two quad Naval Strike Missile launchers, while she can operate a Wildcat HMA2 or Merlin HM2 helicopter for anti submarine and over the horizon strike tasks.
The Wildcat can carry Sea Venom anti ship missiles at initial operating capability from October 2025, and the Merlin can carry multiple torpedoes for hunting submarines. Somerset uses a combined diesel electric and gas propulsion arrangement and has a range of around 7,500 nautical miles at cruising speed.
A capability that will be lost when the Type 26 enters service
True, but we may gain ASROC, which is a worthwhile trade.
‘May’ is the word, ASROC is years away, even if they were to go ahead with it.
How does ASROC compare to the Ikara I recall the RN having on some Leander in my youth?
The hard stats aren’t that different. VL-ASROC only flies a couple kilometres further than the Ikara, and only a little faster.
The internals are very different though.
Doesn’t that depend on whether we use a straight ASROC conversion to Stingray or develop our own supersonic rocket, as BAE appear to be doing?
Of course. We’ve seen both Japan and India develop much larger systems both for the Mk41 and other VLS, so I expect that anything BAE comes up with would be closer to those missiles rather than to the VL-ASROC.
Not really because the torpedo on top of the Asroc Rocket motor is far inferior to Sting Ray in every single Measurement.
If you need to fire Asroc you have messed up and not killed the sub at range with a Helo.
MTLS is ideal for Working in Fjiords where sonar detection is problematic and the need for a snapshot is far greater.
According to a certain know it all on here we don’t need this capability as the helicopter will always 100% without fail without exception absobloodylutely always be available to deliver the weapon to the target.
Until the one time it develops a sudden fault at the worst possible time and there’s an angry enemy sub sniffing around. Then the hideously expensive best in the world anti sub frigate becomes a toothless sitting duck. And we all know we have precious few assets to back it up, never mind replace it!
If I’ve learned one thing in life the unexpected has a nasty habit of occurring at the worst possible time….
Different variant concept containers that can be swapped out in the mission bay, including torpedo launchers. Naval Lookout has a good article called ‘Refining the requirements for the Type 26 frigate mission bay’
I do prefer warships to be well armed, but are the ship launched torpedoes still relevant considering the ranges which submarines can operate! I appreciate the stingray torpedo is a quality weapon, but do we not need the ability to launch it from a mk 41 from the type 26, so it as a more offensive and less defensive weapon. Cheers.
I recall hearing they were looking into the various options of VLA torpedoes, that said I would still have some onboard torpedo launchers. I’d rather have them and not need them than need them and not have them.
Agreed mate 👍
GB was the best person on here to answer on that point. He doesn’t seem to be on here much any-more.
Because I have now retired and am in the UK trying to sort my house out whilst waiting, so far, 10months to see a Cardiologist!!! 😂
Its down to where you want to use a weapon and detection ranges. MTLS is ideal in Fijords,, Asroc isn’t.
In open ocean towed array directing Dipper helos armed with Torpedoes or directing in Wildcat pony’s with torps is the way to go.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a U-Turn on fitting the T26’s with ASW torpedo tubes – whilst the overall utility of these may be limited, they can still be very useful in some circumstances such as quick reaction to a small underwater target (UUV?) detected at short range. Australia and Canada are fitting their variants with torpedo tubes, and Norway may press the UK to do the same for the variant it will share with the RN. Both Norway and the UK use the Sting Ray Mod 1, so maybe it will be possible to reuse ex-T23 launch systems, at least for the earlier T26’s?
Not to mention being useful when the helicopter decides to shit the bed at the worst possible time, something complex kit has a frustrating ability to do sometimes.