Royal Navy Commissions Advanced Warship
HMS Daring – the Royal Navy’s newest and most advanced warship – has been formally commissioned into the fleet last Thursday (July 23).
The ship’s sponsor, Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex who launched the Type 45 destroyer in Scotland in 2006, was principal guest at the colourful ‘Christening’ ceremony at Victory Jetty, Portsmouth Naval Base. Her Royal Highness then went on board HMS Daring for a short time before joining a reception for guests on the quayside.
HMS Daring’s Commanding Officer, Captain Paddy McAlpine, read the Commissioning Warrant and the National Anthem was played as the ship’s Jack and White Ensign are raised and the commissioning pennant was unfurled. Capt McAlpine said the ceremony was an extremely important day for both the ship and the ship’s company: “It gives me immense pride to be here at this momentous occasion as the ship’s Commanding Officer. HMS Daring opens a new chapter in the illustrious history of the Royal Navy.
HMS Daring is the first of six Type 45 destroyers and all will be based in Portsmouth. The second, HMS Dauntless, is due to make her first entry in to Portsmouth early next year. The Type 45 Destroyer is the largest and most powerful Air Defence Destroyer ever built for the Royal Navy. It will provide UK Defence with a world-class military capability.
The prime role of the Type 45 Destroyer will be Air Defence: protecting UK national and allied/coalition forces against enemy aircraft and missiles. It will carry the UK variant of the world-leading Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) including the UK designed Sampson multi-function radar. This system, which has been named Sea Viper by the Royal Navy, will set new standards in Air Defence, capable of defending the Type 45 and ships in its company from multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles and aircraft.
In addition to its world class Air Defence capability, one of the Type 45’s greatest assets is its versatility. It will also act as a multi-role, general-purpose platform, able to contribute effectively to a range of world-wide maritime and joint operations.
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