Ministry of Defence
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HMS DAUNTLESS IS DELIVERED
HMS Dauntless - the second of six new formidable air defence warships - was handed over to the Ministry Of Defence at a ceremony in Portsmouth today.
HMS Dauntless was launched from BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow on 23 January 2007. After extensive sea trials she made her first entry into her home port of Portsmouth yesterday (2 December). She follows HMS Daring – the Royal Navy’s first Type 45 destroyer – which arrived in Portsmouth in January this year.
BAE Systems, builders of the new fleet of Type 45 destroyers, handed over HMS Dauntless today to the Royal Navy’s Deputy Commander-In-Chief Fleet, Vice Admiral Richard Ibbotson.
During a ceremony on the ship’s flight deck at Portsmouth Naval Base, the BAE company flag was lowered and replaced by the Royal Navy’s White Ensign.
The Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:
“The six Type 45s will be the largest and most powerful destroyers ever operated by the Royal Navy. With the second of class now in the hands of the MoD, we are forging ahead to deliver an unparalleled air defence capability to the Royal Navy.
“HMS Dauntless has gone through several stages of sea trials in which she has truly impressed the ship’s company. She will now embark on a final set of trials that will really put her to the test before she is commissioned into the Navy in the summer of 2010.”
Vice Admiral Richard Ibbotson, the Royal Navy’s Deputy Commander-In-Chief Fleet, said:
“The Royal Navy is looking forward to Her Majesty’s Ship Dauntless taking her place in the Fleet with much anticipation and congratulates everyone involved in delivering her this far. HMS Dauntless and her sister ships are world beaters and the people of the Royal Navy are second to none. This is a winning combination, and the ship provides us with the tools to do the job, whatever the country requires of us, for years to come. It is therefore with great excitement that we welcome the cutting edge capability that the new T45 displays.
“With the ability to integrate both land and air forces, HMS Dauntless truly is a joint asset and will carry out a wide range of operations, whilst remaining a highly effective air defence ship. Dauntless is a magnificent feat of engineering.”
Angus Holt, UK Programmes Director at BAE Systems’ Surface Ships business, said:
“Today is the culmination of hard work, commitment and a fantastic partnership between BAE Systems, the Royal Navy and our suppliers to produce one of the finest ships in the world.
“Everyone involved in creating this ship should be extremely proud of their achievements. HMS Dauntless truly is a magnificent ship and I am delighted on behalf to hand over to the Royal Navy on behalf of BAE Systems today.”
The prime role of the Type 45 destroyer will be air defence – protecting UK national and allied and coalition forces against enemy aircraft and missiles. The technology onboard the Type 45 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.
Notes to Editors
Sister ships HMS Diamond, Dragon, Defender and Duncan are at
various stages of build and will all enter service progressively
through to the middle of the next decade. All will be based in Portsmouth.
For further information contact Press Officer Simon Smith on
02392 723025
Contacts:
Ministry of Defence
NDS.MOD@coi.gsi.gov.uk
