Iain Ballantyne
@iainballantyne.bsky.social
Editor Warships IFR magazine and its associated guides to the US Navy and Royal Navy. Author of books, including 'Hunter Killers', 'The Deadly Trade', 'Killing the Bismarck', plus the novel 'Martin's Eyes', out 10.4.26.
Warships IFR magazine Assistant Editor Stephen Jagger was at Portsmouth recently & captured some video footage of this historic vessel, MGB 81, which saw combat in the Channel & North Sea during WW2. Looking good! Sounding great too - a satisfying purr of her powerful engines audible. #ww2 #history
October 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The Duke Class (Type 23) frigate HMS Somerset has conducted the first ever Royal Navy firing of a Naval Strike Missile (NSM), on the Andøya range off Norway. It was part of Aegir 25, an exercise that also saw missile firings using land-based launch systems. #hmssomerset #royalnavy #warship #naval
September 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The Duke Class (Type 23) frigate HMS Somerset has conducted the first ever Royal Navy firing of a Naval Strike Missile (NSM), on the Andøya range off Norway. It was part of Aegir 25, an exercise that also saw missile firings using land-based launch systems. #hmssomerset #royalnavy #warship #naval
Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Explorer at Portsmouth earlier in September, seemingly acting as drone mothership. Video by Stephen Jagger. For articles on the UK fleet's use of autonomous systems see the Warships IFR 'Guide to the Royal Navy 2026' sundialmedia.escosubs.co.uk/store/produc... #royalnavy
September 22, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Explorer at Portsmouth earlier in September, seemingly acting as drone mothership. Video by Stephen Jagger. For articles on the UK fleet's use of autonomous systems see the Warships IFR 'Guide to the Royal Navy 2026' sundialmedia.escosubs.co.uk/store/produc... #royalnavy
Another 1st for the Royal Navy clocked up during the UK Carrier Strike Group 2025 deployment. A Malloy T-150 octo-copter flew ‘critical supplies...from ship to ship,’ said the RN. Here we see the drone flying between destroyer HMS Dauntless & carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
September 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Another 1st for the Royal Navy clocked up during the UK Carrier Strike Group 2025 deployment. A Malloy T-150 octo-copter flew ‘critical supplies...from ship to ship,’ said the RN. Here we see the drone flying between destroyer HMS Dauntless & carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
A milestone for the UK's Type 31 frigate programme was installation of the first ship's mainmast by Babcock as seen in this video. Btw there's a feat on future Royal Navy frigates in our forthcoming 'Guide to the Royal Navy'. Pre-order sundialmedia.escosubs.co.uk/store/produc...
#royalnavy
#royalnavy
August 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM
A milestone for the UK's Type 31 frigate programme was installation of the first ship's mainmast by Babcock as seen in this video. Btw there's a feat on future Royal Navy frigates in our forthcoming 'Guide to the Royal Navy'. Pre-order sundialmedia.escosubs.co.uk/store/produc...
#royalnavy
#royalnavy
To follow an earlier post - a video starting with HMS Prince of Wales, surrounded by vessels of the UK Carrier Strike Group (USK CSG) and those of US & Japanese groups, during an exercise in the Northern Philippine Sea. Next we see a UK F-35B land on JS Kaga and warships Yokosuka.
#japan #ukcsg25
#japan #ukcsg25
August 12, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Mine warfare vessel Stirling Castle transferred from Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to Royal Navy (RN). A significant change that will happen soon: Stirling Castle will be repainted warship grey, tho' poss of 'dazzle' mooted. No need to turn this one the 'right way up' @covertshores.bsky.social 😆
July 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Mine warfare vessel Stirling Castle transferred from Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to Royal Navy (RN). A significant change that will happen soon: Stirling Castle will be repainted warship grey, tho' poss of 'dazzle' mooted. No need to turn this one the 'right way up' @covertshores.bsky.social 😆
UK Carrier Strike Group flagship HMS Prince of Wales has sailed into Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - the first visit by a Royal Navy aircraft carrier to Australia since HMS Illustrious in 1997. The UKCSG has been taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre #UKCSG25 #royalnavy #darwin #news
July 23, 2025 at 7:01 PM
UK Carrier Strike Group flagship HMS Prince of Wales has sailed into Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - the first visit by a Royal Navy aircraft carrier to Australia since HMS Illustrious in 1997. The UKCSG has been taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre #UKCSG25 #royalnavy #darwin #news