A British Royal Navy destroyer has successfully intercepted a simulated swarm of attack drones and missile threats during a high-intensity military exercise off the coast
of Wales, demonstrating the UK’s growing focus on defending against modern aerial and maritime attacks.
The Portsmouth-based HMS Duncan took part in Exercise Sharpshooter at the Aberporth test range in Cardigan Bay, where the warship faced a continuous wave of simulated threats over a demanding 72-hour period.
According to the Royal Navy, the drill was designed to replicate the pace and complexity of modern naval combat, particularly the kind of attacks increasingly seen in contested maritime regions.
Simulated drone swarms and missile attacks
During the exercise, HMS Duncan was targeted by multiple aerial and surface drones, some flying at speeds exceeding 200 mph. The training scenario also included simulated cruise and ballistic missile attacks, forcing the destroyer’s crew to deploy a layered air-defence response.
The exercise mirrored real-world incidents such as the 2024 attacks in the Red Sea, when Houthi militants launched drones and missiles at commercial shipping, prompting defensive actions by coalition naval forces including the British destroyer HMS Diamond.
Layered defence systems put to the test
To counter the simulated threats, HMS Duncan used a wide range of defensive systems and weapons. The ship’s arsenal included Martlet missiles launched from its embarked helicopter, heavy machine guns, the Phalanx close-in weapon system, a 30mm gun, and the vessel’s 4.5-inch naval gun.
The destroyer also conducted simulated launches of its advanced Sea Viper system, a key component of the Type 45’s long-range air-defence capability.
Supporting the ship was a AgustaWestland Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, which helped detect and engage incoming threats.
Commander Dan Lee, HMS Duncan’s Commanding Officer, said: “Sharpshooter was an invaluable opportunity to test our systems and our people in a demanding environment. The ship’s company rose to every challenge, delivering successful layered-defence engagements while simultaneously dealing with realistic damage-control scenarios. I am immensely proud of how the team performed; their dedication ensures that HMS Duncan remains ready to fight and ready to protect.”
Training under combat-like conditions
Throughout the drill, the crew operated under continuous “defence watches,” maintaining maximum readiness while also responding to simulated onboard emergencies such as fires and structural damage.
Despite managing those internal crises, the destroyer continued to track and counter external threats — a scenario designed to reflect the chaos of real combat operations.
The exercise included a variety of unmanned targets, such as the high-speed Hammerhead surface drone and Banshee Whirlwind, an aerial drone used to simulate hostile aircraft and missiles.
Hundreds of rounds fired
Petty Officer James Ings, responsible for maintaining the 4.5-inch gun, said: “It was a good week for the gun. We put more than 200 rounds down it and did some proper naval gunfire support as well. The 30mm medium calibre gun threw up a few faults, but that’s engineering – you figure it out and you get it working again. Each time we fixed it, it was back up for the next shoot. That’s the job, and it was good to see it doing what it’s meant to do.”
Will Blamey, Chief Executive of UK Defence at QinetiQ, said: “We are proud to deliver dynamic, real-life scenarios that best-prepare our armed forces for the complex warfare challenges of today and tomorrow. Our combination of live and synthetic threats mean we can evolve training scenarios to ensure we are providing the very latest in threat representation, helping our warfighters to achieve mission-readiness at pace.”
More than 200 rounds were fired during the exercise, including practice naval gunfire support missions. Engineers also resolved technical issues with the 30mm gun during the drills, ensuring it was quickly returned to service.
Exercise Sharpshooter was organised by the Royal Navy’s Fleet Operational Standards and Training teams in partnership with QinetiQ and Inzpire, combining live-fire drills with advanced simulated threats to evaluate the fleet’s readiness for modern warfare.
The exercise highlights the Royal Navy’s continued efforts to prepare for evolving threats, particularly the growing use of drones and missile attacks in naval conflicts. Photo by Brian Burnell, Wikimedia commons.