Royal Navy destroyer drills under simulated missile fire before Russian frigate appears

HMS Dauntless, one of the Royal Navy's most capable destroyers, underwent Exercise Sharpshooter, a rigorous training program that simulated fires, gunfire, and inbound ballistic missiles to prepare the crew for modern maritime threats. Sailors worked rotating eight-hour shifts, responding to synthetic radar contacts, drone swarms, and uncrewed surface boats, while also coping with a real minor injury on the gun deck. The drill culminated in the unexpected detection of a Russian frigate on radar, which closed to within 20 miles before the vessels diverged, underscoring the regular presence of Russian shadow-fleet ships near British waters.

Lieutenant Commander Dave Ferguson, who has firsthand experience from HMS Richmond's encounters with Houthi missile attacks in the Red Sea, led the training and praised its effectiveness. The article also notes a recent espionage charge against a serving Navy member for alleged spying between November 2024 and May 2025. Broader challenges include delayed deployments, defence cuts, and the Navy's shift toward hybrid forces with autonomous vessels and advanced systems like the Sea Viper missile suite.