DARING passes Dumbarton Rock on her first day of trials (RN photo)

HMS DARING completes successful sea trials
First round of trials deemed a success as new destroyer exceeds design speed
 

The Royal Navy's newest and most sophisticated destroyer –  HMS Daring - has successfully completed demanding sea trials on the Clyde and off the Scottish coast.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth, said:

“The Type 45 is an immensely powerful state of the art destroyer that will provide a vital layer of protection from missile attack for the fleet.

“Daring’s success at sea - when I gather she exceeded her design speed of 29 knots - is an excellent start to the intensive trials phase that will now begin as we bring her world-leading missile defence system into full operation.

“I have spoken to her crew and they are delighted with the capability of the ship and pleased with the high standard of accommodation on board.”

A further five ships of this class are on order. One, Dauntless, was launched earlier this year and another, Diamond, is due to be launched in November at the BAE Systems' Govan shipyard..

BAE Systems is the prime contractor for the delivery of the first six Type 45 Destroyers. The ships are being assembled and launched from yards on the Clyde. VT at Portsmouth and BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions will both build and outfit substantial sections of the ships.

Locals around the Firth of Clyde have been treated to the sight of the destroyer going through her paces and today she returned to Scotstoun shipyard where work on her missile systems will now take place.