UK, French and Guinean Navies Carry Out Drills off West Africa

Two British ships have carried out exercises with the French and Guinean Navies off the coast of West Africa.

HMS Iron Duke and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Black Rover have carried out Officer of the Watch manoeuvres in the Atlantic Ocean with the French frigate Commandant Blaison, two Guinean patrol vessels, and an aircraft from the Guinean Fisheries Protection.

In the process Iron Duke sent some of her personnel across to the Guinean patrol vessels and vice versa.

The purpose of the exercise was to develop navigational skills and seamanship and put these into practice following combined maritime patrols.

The visit to Guinea by Iron Duke was the first time in 15 years that a Royal Navy warship has visited the country.

The British Ambassador to Guinea Graham Styles welcomed the coming together of the different navies and the progress that was being made in the region towards prosperity and stability.