Residents overlooking Devonport Naval Base could be forgiven for failing to believe their eyes this week if they glance at one of the Royal Navy’s newest ships this week.

For Landing Platform Dock (LPD) HMS Albion will be coming under attack from what would appear to be armed personnel.

But the advanced warship, one of the two vessels that replace the veteran amphibious ships HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid, is merely undergoing routine ship protection activity.

The exercises will be conducted while the ship is alongside at West Mill lake in the Naval Base, and the various simulated attacks will be set up and co-ordinated by Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST), which oversees and delivers training to all ships and submarines in the Service.

The ship protection exercises will involve the firing of harmless blank rounds, which will probably be audible by people living nearest the Plymouth base in the Barne Barton area.

The Royal Navy has apologised in advance for any disturbance and inconvenience to residents caused by the exercises, which will take place tomorrow (Tuesday October 21) from 6pm to 7pm, and on Thursday October 23 from 5pm to 9.30pm.

Albion is equipped with the largest and most sophisticated battle command centres afloat in the Fleet, making her and her sister HMS Bulwark – yet to enter service – a versatile and valuable asset.

She can also carry 700 Royal Marines, 60 vehicles and eight landing craft, and can deploy men and machines by way of large troop-carrying helicopters operating from her flight deck and carrying the force ashore rapidly.