The Type 45 air defence destroyer met the aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean to strengthen the French ship’s ability to conduct air strikes against the terrorist organisation in Iraq and Syria.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

This shows once again that Britain and France stand shoulder to shoulder against this brutal terrorist organisation.

Whether British tourists on a beach in Tunisia or French citizens in Paris, both our nations have had first hand experience of the evil that Daesh is capable of and we are united in our resolve to destroy them.

HMS Defender’s state of the art radars are able provide a clear picture of an area stretching over 300 miles and will defend mulitnational ships, aircraft and land forces part of this taskforce.

The ship’s company of HMS Defender is focussed on the successful outcome of this operation and everyone has their part to play. A constant dialogue with the French Carrier and specific training means that HMS Defender is ready in all respects to protect the task group from a wide variety of threats.

HMS Defender’s Commanding Officer Stephen Higham said:

Every sailor and Royal Marine serving in HMS Defender knows this ship directly contributes to the national security of the UK.

Whether interdicting illegal arms shipments to terrorist groups, delivering world-class air command from the sea or directing and controlling aircraft conducting strikes against Daesh overland, we are resolved to do all we can to keep our country safe and protect our nation’s interests.

HMS Defender is on a nine month deployment to the Middle East and will continue to work with the French Carrier Task Group well into 2016.

The Royal Navy warship HMS Defender will support the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle when she deploys to tackle ISIL. The ship will provide air defence cover for the French carrier.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

France is firmly resolved in its determination to tackle ISIL and we need to help too.

This barbaric terrorist organisation must be destroyed and it’s right that we offer all the support we can to confront them.

We will continue our own advanced surveillance and strike missions against ISIL. They are a threat to our security in the UK, as well as to France and the rest of Europe.

We will consider any further requests for support from France under Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty following Friday’s Paris terror attacks.

HMS Defender sailed from Portsmouth last month for a nine-month deployment under the command of Commander Stephen Higham.

HMS Defender is capable of carrying out a wide range of operations, including anti-piracy and anti-smuggling activities, disaster relief work and surveillance operations as well as high intensity warfare.

Defender has a ship’s company of 230 and commissioned on 21 March 2013.

HMS Defender is the fifth of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 Destroyers. She was launched by her sponsor, Lady Massey, on Trafalgar Day (21 October) 2009.