Italian destroyer joined the UK’s Carrier Strike Group after NATO exercise in Portugal
HMS Queen Elizabeth and the Carrier Strike Group met up with allies in an exercise that saw 19 ships and more than 5,000 personnel come together
Ships and units from 11 countries joined up off the coast of Portugal for Exercise Steadfast Defender.
The training saw the UK’s Carrier Strike Group meeting with allied ships for the large-scale defensive exercise designed to test the alliance’s ability to rapidly deploy forces to meet possible future threats.
“The Mediterranean phase of CSG21 highlights once again the convening power of the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.”
— Commodore Steve Moorhouse, Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group
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Off the back of the exercise, Italian destroyer Andrea Doria has joined HMS Queen Elizabeth and remained with the carrier for a few days.
The Horizon-class destroyer will operate with the UK-led force in the western Mediterranean, where she will work alongside warships from the UK, US and the Netherlands to protect HMS Queen Elizabeth and her task group from potential threats.
“Andrea Doria’s crew and I are honoured to have the opportunity to escort the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth on her sailing in the Mediterranean sea.”
— Captain Alberto Tarabotto, the Italian destroyer’s Commanding Officer
The 7,000-tonne destroyer is fitted with a similar air defence system to the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, centred around Aster missiles.
In March this year, the Italian navy aircraft carrier Cavour undertook her first trials with the F-35B fighter jets.
“Andrea Doria is a welcome addition to the Carrier Strike Group and we look forward to working with our partners in the Marina Militare over the comings days.”
— Commodore Steve Moorhouse, Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group
With warships from Britain, the United States, the Netherlands and now Italy, the UK Carrier Strike Group is a truly multinational force. It is a testament to the strength of the UK’s partnerships with NATO allies and our continuing commitment to European security.
“I firmly believe that this multi-domain activity represents a very significant historical moment as an expression of cohesion between all countries involved and it will show the high level of interoperability between our two navies.”
— Captain Alberto Tarabotto, the Italian destroyer’s Commanding Officer
