Royal Navy warship HMS Kent joins American destroyers USS Donald Cook and USS Porter in the Arctic for cold-weather training(9 Pics)

The Royal Navy has joined the US Navy to do some cold water training in the Arctic - where the sea temperature is approximately four Celsius. 

HMS Kent joined two US destroyers, a nuclear submarine, support ship and long-range maritime aircraft. 

As well as the Duke Class Frigate, which is based in Portsmouth, the Royal Navy deployed a Merlin Helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron. 

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The Royal Navy joined the US Navy to do some cold water training in the Arctic. HMS Kent pictured as she conducts maritime security patrols in and around UK waters

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314 Flight take part in a small arms firing at sea whilst on maritime security patrols in around around UK waters with HMS Kent

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HMS Kent joined two US destroyers, a nuclear submarine, support ship and long-range maritime aircraft for the training. HMS Kent's ship's company pictured taking part in a practice replenishment at sea

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Members of 314 Flight (pictured) took part in a vertical replenishment whilst on maritime security patrols in the North Sea

 The training exercise also involved the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Donald Cook and USS Porter. 

An unidentified US nuclear submarine also joined the exercise. 

Commander Matt Sykes, Commanding Officer of HMS Kent said: 'I am delighted for HMS Kent to have this opportunity to work with our US allies. Conducting an exercise in the Arctic Circle is a new challenge for the ship’s company whose dedication and professionalism in preparing for this exercise have been impressive.

'The challenges of working in this extreme environment should not be underestimated but HMS Kent’s presence here continues to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to the north Atlantic and high north. 

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Flight Crew from 314 Flight based at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall, conducted a surface search whilst on maritime patrols in and around UK Waters with HMS Kent

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US ships were pictured carrying out sailing manouevres whilst in the North Sea with HMS Kent

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 An unidentified US nuclear submarine also joined the exercise aimed at training and preparing crews for Arctic conditions

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Commander Matt Sykes, Commanding Officer of HMS Kent said he was delighted for HMS Kent to have this opportunity to work with its US allies. HMS Kent crew took part in a replenishment exercise (pictured)

'Finally, I would like to thank the friends and families of HMS Kent for their unswerving support throughout this period.' 

Lieutenant Georgia Harding, HMS Kent’s Principal Warfare Officer for underwater warfare, said: 'This exercise is the culmination of a high intensity period of anti-submarine warfare training that has seen a step change in HMS Kent’s readiness to conduct operations.

'Being able to work with US Navy ships, submarines and aircraft is an excellent opportunity to further hone our skills in a challenging environment.

'The waters are no warmer than 4 degrees Celsius; sea temperature, as well as salinity and various temperature layers play key roles in how effective sonar is.' 

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Lieutenant Georgia Harding, HMS Kent’s Principal Warfare Officer for underwater warfare, said the exercise was an excellent opportunity to further hone skills in a challenging environment. The ship's company(pictured) work together to replenish at sea in the training