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