The Royal Navy's newest and most advanced air defence destroyer HMS Diamond has entered service after completing extensive sea trials.
It is armed with the Sea Viper missile defence system which is capable of tracking and defending against multiple supersonic targets simultaneously. The system is backed by long and short range radar and missile systems that can search in excess of 400km.
Minister for Defence Equipment Support and Technology, Peter Luff, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the latest in this superb class of warship into the fleet, in what is another significant milestone in this hugely important project.
"These highly capable Type 45 destroyers will form an integral part of Future Force 2020 and will allow the Royal Navy to meet the demands placed on them.”
The 7,000 tonne warship, launched on the Clyde in 2007, is one of six new Type 45 destroyers being built, the largest and most powerful ships of their kind ever ordered for the Royal Navy.
Commander Ian Clarke, HMS Diamond’s Commanding Officer, said: "This marks HMS Diamond’s formal transition to the operations just nine months since leaving the builder’s yard.
"The Ship’s company is rightly pleased to have reached this milestone and is now focused firmly on the forthcoming period of intense combat training in preparation for our first deployment. Itching to get onto a more operational footing, HMS Diamond will soon be at immediate notice to respond to world events and bring influence wherever it is needed.”
With HMS Daring and HMS Dauntless already in service, and the other ships at various stages of completion, the handover of HMS Diamond represents the half way point in this key naval equipment programme.
The ship will now undertake training in preparation for her first operational deployment in a few months time.
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