Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER is a multi national search and EOD exercise hosted by Canada on the west coast.

Held annually, Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER improves participants’ readiness to counter explosive threats, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The training simulates a complex contemporary operating environment and enhances linkages with allies and civilian law enforcement partners as they practise response protocols.

The Royal Navy’s Fleet Diving Unit Two took place in this years event.

Eleven divers from Fleet Diving Unit Two – one of the Royal Navy’s three specialist teams – spent the week neutralising, interrogating and gathering intelligence on explosives alongside their diving counterparts.

“This is the first time I’ve been involved in such an intense and challenging exercise. The chance to work with so many other nations and agencies, so far from home, has been really interesting,” said Diver Kieran ‘Charlie’ Dimmock.

“It’s also been extremely rewarding, especially when I was acting as part of a ‘high assurance underwater search team’. We had a good idea that a device had been planted and had to then locate it within a certain time frame and mark it.”

For FDU2 specialises in Improvised Explosive Devices placed in or close to ships and harbour infrastructures. As well as neutralising the bombs – courtesy of personal skill, bravery and a variety of specialist equipment including small remote-controlled vehicles – FDU2 gather as much forensic evidence and intelligence as possible about the device.

A collection of media from the exercise;

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