Other titles:ROYAL NAVY PRESENTATION TEAM MATERIAL [Allocated Series Title]
Summary:Royal Navy Presentation Team film.
Description:Film begins with scenes of merchant ships at sea and in port and moving on to look at the build up of Soviet naval power and the threat posed to British interests. The nuclear powered cruiser Kirov and the Typhoon and Alpha classes of nuclear submarine feature, as does Soviet naval aviation and the growing role of the Soviet merchant fleet in supporting Soviet foreign policy. The film explains the importance of the sea to the United Kingdom, briefly describes the composition of the Royal Navy and mentions the need for industrial and scientific support to ensure that frontline equipment remains up to date. Royal Navy units are shown in co-operation with the forces of other NATO nations in monitoring Soviet naval activity, and an example of a balanced anti-submarine warfare group, centred on the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible (R.05) is shown. Sea Harrier and Lynx aircraft appear, with Sting Ray anti-submarine torpedoes and Sea Skua anti-ship missiles, an Exocet missile is fired from the County Class destroyer HMS Norfolk (D.21), Sea Dart and Sea Wolf missiles are fired and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships are shown providing replenishment at sea. The Hunt Class minesweeper HMS Brecon (M.29) is shown at sea deploying her remote control mine disposal system and the Royal Marines are shown exercising in defence of North Sea oil rigs and in Norway; the Navy's Resolution Class nuclear missile submarines then appear briefly. Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) , a rear admiral in charge of an organisation within the Navy intended to maintain operational efficiency, explains the purpose of his job and the organisation that he leads. FOST staff are shown onboard ship, assessing the standards of crew members and advising on how improvements can be made; areas shown include navigation, damage control and a man overboard exercise. The Type 42 destroyer HMS Coventry (D.118), later lost to Argentinean air attack during the Falklands War, is seen taking part in FOST exercise known as the 'Thursday War' during which all aspects of a ship's fighting capability are tested and examined. Part of the debrief is shown and a captain, possibly the deputy to FOST, sums up the purpose of the organisation. The film ends with scenes of Wessex helicopters rescuing yacht crew members during the 1979 Fastnet race.
Alternative Title:ROYAL NAVY PRESENTATION TEAM MATERIAL [Allocated Series Title]
