Breaking news
Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer HMS Defender Joined French Carrier Strike Group on IS Operations.
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Naval Forces News - UK, France |
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Royal
Navy Type 45 Destroyer HMS Defender Joined French Carrier Strike Group
on IS Operations |
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The
Royal Navy Type
45 Destroyer HMS Defender has joined the French aircraft
carrier Charles de Gaulle ready to support operations against
the Islamic State (IS). The Type 45 air defence destroyer met the aircraft
carrier in the Indian Ocean to strengthen the French ship’s ability
to conduct air strikes against the terrorist organisation in Iraq and
Syria. |
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HMS Defender sailing alongside the Charles de Gaulle in the Gulf. Picture: Royal Navy |
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Defence
Secretary Michael Fallon said: “This shows once again that Britain
and France stand shoulder to shoulder against this brutal terrorist
organisation. Whether British tourists on a beach in Tunisia or French
citizens in Paris, both our nations have had first-hand experience of
the evil that Daesh is capable of and we are united in our resolve to
destroy them.” HMS Defender’s state of the art radars are able provide a clear picture of an area stretching over 300 miles and will defend multinational ships, aircraft and land forces part of this taskforce. |
HMS Defender sailing alongside the Charles de Gaulle in the Gulf. Picture: Royal Navy |
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The
ship’s company of HMS Defender is focussed on the successful
outcome of this operation and everyone has their part to play. A constant
dialogue with the French Carrier and specific training means that HMS
Defender is ready in all respects to protect the task group from
a wide variety of threats. HMS Defender’s Commanding Officer Stephen Higham said: “Every sailor and Royal Marine serving in HMS Defender knows this ship directly contributes to the national security of the UK. Whether interdicting illegal arms shipments to terrorist groups, delivering world-class air command from the sea or directing and controlling aircraft conducting strikes against Daesh overland, we are resolved to do all we can to keep our country safe and protect our nation’s interests.” HMS Defender is on a nine month deployment to the Middle East and will continue to work with the French Carrier Task Group well into 2016. |
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