Royal Navy makes first drone delivery between ships

The Royal Navy says it has conducted its first ship-to-ship delivery of supplies using a drone.

The drone flew from flagship HMS Prince of Wales to the Portsmouth destroyer HMS Dauntless during the Royal Navy's major 2025 Indo-Pacific mission.

It is hoped it will provide a cheap and efficient alternative to using helicopters or boats to make deliveries, freeing them up to focus on operational tasks.

The operation was carried out using a Malloy T-150 octo-copter, built by Maidenhead-based Malloy Aeronautics.

The drone carrying critical supplies, including spare and repair parts, was flown autonomously just over one mile (1.6km) and was eventually controlled by crews on Dauntless to guide it onto the ship's flight deck and make a safe landing.

It has the potential to carry up to 65kg (143lbs) and can fly up to 60mph (97km/h).

Lt Matt Parfitt, who carried out the operation, said: "This is a key milestone for the trial, achieved by all the hard work that everyone has put in.

"I'm proud to have achieved this first for the Royal Navy and excited to progress further over the duration of the deployment."

HMS Prince of Wales is currently in Japan following operations in the Mediterranean, Middle East, India and Australia since deploying in April.