HMS Lancaster makes major drugs bust in Arabian Sea assisted by Peregrine RWUAS

Royal Navy Type 23 frigate, HMS Lancaster has intercepted a shipment of class A drugs worth approximately £5.4M during an operation in the northern Arabian Sea. Initial detection of suspicious activity was made by the newly acquired Peregrine Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System (RWUAS) remotely controlled from the ship’s operations room.

While under the command of international Combined Task Force 150 (CTF150), Lancaster intercepted the drug smuggling operation, initially detected under the cover of darkness. Operators of the Peregrine, equipped with radar and EO cameras, observed two boats acting suspiciously. The Wildcat helicopter was launched for a closer inspection, confirming that packages were being transferred between a small, fast boat and a dhow, a type of vessel commonly used for fishing and cargo in the region.

Reacting decisively, the warship surged towards the scene at full speed. The smugglers attempted to dispose of their illicit cargo by throwing packages overboard, but their actions were closely monitored by both the helicopter crew and personnel aboard the frigate. Sailors aboard the sea boat swiftly retrieved the discarded packages, which were later confirmed to contain 340kg of heroin and 83kg of methamphetamine.

HMS Lancaster’s crew, including Royal Marines, continued to search the dhow for additional contraband and gathered intelligence on illicit activities in the region. The seized narcotics were destroyed to prevent them from re-entering the supply chain.

This operation neatly demonstrates the advantages an organic uncrewed ISR capability gives a warship. With two Pergrine RWUAS embarked, Lancaster now can conduct surveillance over a vastly larger area. Peregrine has a 6-hour endurance and a range of around 180 km. When fitted with the Thales I-Master, a compact, lightweight airborne surveillance radar extends this reach, able to monitor an area of 800 km² every hour. Peregrine also reduces expensive flying hours on the Wildcat, lowering the maintenance requirement and crew fatigue. Arguably this capability should be embarked on operational vessels across the rest of the fleet as quickly as possible. The limiting factor is likely to be the number of personnel who have to be trained to operate and maintain the aircraft.

Lancaster has been forward-deployed in Bahrain for over two years as part of the RN’s longstanding efforts to combat illegal activities in the region. She recently completed a support period in Bahrain led by BAE Systems in partnership with the ship’s company, and local shipyard BASREC. The work package included a substantial amount of planned maintenance and the exchange of a forward diesel engine. This operation required lifting a section of the main deck and partial stripping of the galley to facilitate the removal and installation of the new engine.