Ministry of Defence
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MoD responds to NAO report on type 45 Destroyers

MoD responds to NAO report on type 45 Destroyers

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE News Release (056/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 13 March 2009

DEFENCE Minister Quentin Davies has today commented on the National Audit Office (NAO) report "Providing Anti Air Warfare Capability: the Type 45 destroyer."

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies said:

"The NAO rightly acknowledges the progress made with the Type 45 destroyer programme. Key milestones, such as completion of sea trials have been met ahead of schedule. These are complex, sophisticated warships and where problems arose in the early stages MOD gripped the issue, renegotiated contracts where required and got the programme on track - the first of these impressive destroyers, HMS Daring, sailed into Portsmouth, her future base port in January this year.

I have been following this programme closely since my appointment, and I am pleased to be able to say that progress with both building and sea trials is currently going very well. Four ships are in the water (Daring, Dauntless, Diamond and Dragon) while the other two vessels (Defender and Duncan) are well under construction and the powerful SeaViper missile system has undergone two successful test firings. These ships will form one of the essential pillars of the Royal Navy in the 21st Century."

The first in Class, Daring, is due to enter service in late 2010 and the remaining vessels will enter service progressively through to the middle of the next decade.

Notes to Editors

1. Designed primarily to provide air defence protecting forces against enemy aircraft and missiles, the Type 45s are extremely versatile and able to undertake a broad range of missions from combat to humanitarian assistance. They will be able to carry a significant number of extra personnel, such as troops or evacuated personnel, on board. Top quality accommodation has been fitted so the crew can live and work in comfort and they also have there own hospital facilities, complete with operating table.

2. The six ships:

a. HMS Daring was launched in February 2006 and completed her contractor sea trials in September 2008. She was handed over to the MoD from the shipbuilder BVT on 10 December 2008 and set sail from the Govan dockyard on the Clyde on January 16 2009 for the journey down to Portsmouth arriving at her base in Portsmouth 28 January 2009.

b. Dauntless was launched in January 2007 and completed her first set of sea trials on 12 December 2008.

c. Diamond was launched in November 2007 and her first set of sea trials are scheduled to begin in summer 2009.

d. Dragon - was launched in November 2008 and her first set of sea trials are scheduled to begin in 2010.

e. Defender and Duncan - both vessels are still being built and are due to be launched in late 2009 and late 2010 respectively.

3. Sea Viper, formerly known as PAAMS (Principal Anti-Air Missile System) is a Maritime area air defence system composed of the Sampson radar, which is immensely powerful and sophisticated. The system is designed to deal with multiple simultaneous attacks by the most advanced anti-ship missiles in existence or envisaged.

4. For further information, please call MoD Press Office 020 7218 7714 or 020 7218 2165.

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