HMS Gloucester used Sea Dart to intercept Silkworm missiles threatening a force that included US battleships, HMS London, and mine-countermeasure vessels. London, a Type 22 frigate, provided a further defensive layer with Sea Wolf behind Gloucester's engagement. Their complementary systems protected ships carrying out other tasks within the formation. The Gulf War consequently fitted the Royal Navy's coalition assumptions more closely than the Falklands, despite taking place outside the expected North Atlantic region. American and other allied formations supplied the surrounding capability within which the British escorts could contribute.
Notable Point · 1:17:58-1:18:59
Gloucester's Sea Dart and London's Sea Wolf protected a coalition force
The Gulf War engagement illustrates complementary missile defences working within the allied force structure envisaged for British escorts.