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A retired American warship was deliberately sunk off the western coast of Scotland during a joint training operation involving US military forces and the Royal Navy. The USS Klakring, a former guided missile frigate, was struck by missiles and a torpedo before descending beneath the waves in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 170 miles (274 kilometers) from the Outer Hebrides last Monday.
Prior to the live-fire exercise, the US Navy confirmed that the ship underwent a thorough cleaning procedure to remove hazardous materials. Personnel also conducted surveys to ensure no whales or dolphins were present in the area to minimize environmental impact. The practice of sinking decommissioned US warships at sea has been used previously, including in 2006 when an aircraft carrier was intentionally scuttled. Such operations serve dual purposes: training military crews and creating artificial reefs that benefit marine ecosystems.
The sinking took place during Exercise Atlantic Thunder 2026. The USS Klakring was targeted by a missile launched from the USS Paul Ignatius and a torpedo fired by the USS Massachusetts. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy participated by testing advanced weaponry of its own. Notably, the Type 23 frigate HMS Portland deployed a Naval Sea Missile (NSM), a sophisticated sea-skimming missile capable of reaching speeds near supersonic and striking targets over 100 miles distant. Additionally, a Wildcat helicopter from HMS Portland launched Sea Venom missiles at the ship. The Royal Navy noted this was the inaugural live firing of these missiles from a Wildcat helicopter against a realistic target.
Commissioned in 1983 and decommissioned in 2013, the USS Klakring was named after Rear Admiral Thomas B. Klakring, a World War Two submarine commander honored with three Navy Crosses. The US Navy emphasized that the sinking exercises are carried out under stringent environmental regulations. A spokesperson explained, “The extensive preparations for the exercise include putting the hulk through a rigorous cleaning process to remove contaminants and old equipment, thereby assuring that the environmental impact of the exercise is minimal.” They also stated that using specially prepared ex-navy vessels as targets allows the armed forces to conduct comprehensive large-scale training operations essential for maintaining a high level of readiness
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