Film star HMS Dragon arrives in Gibraltar after 'testing' exercise with French navy
British forces in Gibraltar have welcomed a recent film star – the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon.
The ship, which played a starring role in Daniel Craig's fifth and final appearance as James Bond in 'No Time To Die', is in Gibraltar to support Maritime Week.
Ministry of Defence Gibraltar tweeted a video of HMS Dragon arriving, with a Bond-inspired pun saying: "The name's Dragon, HMS Dragon."
Away from the big screen, HMS Dragon recently defended a joint UK and French task group against fast boats and attacks from the air during intensive exercises off France's Brittany coast.
Exercise Sky Sharks involved the destroyer working with the French frigate Aquitaine, anti‐submarine destroyer Latouche-Tréville and offshore patrol vessel Jacoubet.
A series of exercises saw HMS Dragon defend herself against fast, in-shore attack craft as she navigated her way out of the sheltered bay of Brest.
The Portsmouth-based ship was then tasked to provide protection and support to the French frigate Aquitaine.
She had to show she could rapidly identify and respond to potential threats to the task group including Rafale fighter jets, NH-90 helicopters, drones, Hawkeye tactical airborne early warning aircraft and surface threats.
Commander George Storton, Commanding Officer of HMS Dragon, said: "Exercise Sky Sharks has been an excellent opportunity to once again develop the UK and French integration and demonstrate the capabilities of our exceptional people working with cutting-edge technology.
"Despite challenging weather conditions, our teams came together to plan and execute the testing exercise scenario against the highly capable assets of the Marine Nationale.
"Dragon absolutely cherishes opportunities such as these and we look forward to much more in the future," he added.
Exercise Sky Sharks built on work HMS Dragon did with the French navy and other NATO partners earlier this year on Exercise Formidable Shield.
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