The Royal Navy’s new Response Force Task Group (RFTG) will be deployed this summer to participate in Cougar 11.

The RFTG includes HMS Ocean, which is leading a second group of ships, comprising the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) support ships Wave Knight, Fort Rosalie and Mounts Bay.

The group will head to the Mediterranean to join the amphibious assault ship HMS Albion, Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland and landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay.

During the transit through the Mediterranean, the navy ships will take part in multinational amphibious exercises before moving through the Suez Canal for further exercises in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf.

The RFTG will respond to a range of defence activities that include non-combatant evacuation operations, disaster relief, humanitarian aid or amphibious operations.

According to the UK Strategic Defence and Security Review announced last year, Cougar 11 highlights the need for the armed forces to be mission ready for unexpected events.

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