THE Sun joined Britain’s most powerful warship in live-firing drills as a warning to Russia and Iran.

Exercise Sharpshooter simulated threats HMS Dauntless will face when it escorts a carrier strike group through the Red Sea later this year.

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The £1billion destroyer’s 260 crew leapt into action when radars detected an air and sea drone assault.

A Wildcat helicopter scrambled to shoot down an aerial drone with a Martlet missile.

A drone boat also raced across Cardigan Bay off Wales — and was greeted with a warning shot from Dauntless’s 4.5-inch main gun.

Sailors then opened fire with a 30mm cannon which fires bullets as big as milk bottles.

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Officers also deployed the radar-controlled Phalanx gun.

Its barrels became a blur as it blasted 60 rounds a second at the drone boat — turning it into a fireball.

Dauntless’s Commander Ben Dorrington said: “Once you’re on operations, you’ve got to be prepared.”

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said the drills were based on recent attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and Russia-Ukraine battles in the Black Sea.

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Dauntless heads to Japan this year and Mr Pollard hinted the carrier strike group could even be used to support US strikes on Iran.

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