HMS Daring taking on Bangers and Birds

HMS Daring, the Royal Navy's newest and most powerful warship, made her first visit to Marchwood military port in Southampton this week for ammunition handling and loading trials. The Type 45 destroyer arrived at the port, known as the Sea Mounting Centre, for a 24-hour visit as part of ongoing trials designed to test all parts of the ship's capabilities before she is formally accepted into the Royal Navy fleet - and able to be deployed anywhere in the world - early next year. HMS Daring's Commanding Officer, Captain Paddy McAlpine, said: "The visit to Marchwood is an important part of the ship's trials programme and we will be working hard to make sure we come through it successfully." HMS Daring - the first of the Royal Navy's six Type 45 destroyers - was built and launched in Glasgow and made her first entry into her home port of Portsmouth Naval Base in January. The second, Dauntless, is undergoing sea trials and will arrive at Portsmouth Naval Base for the first time early next year. The main weapon of the Type 45 is the sophisticated and lethal Principal Anti-Air Missile System, comprising a multi-function radar (MFR), automatic command and control system, and surface-to-air missiles operating in conjunction with long-range and early warning radar. The MFR can detect all types of targets out to a distance of 400km and is capable of tracking hundreds of targets simultaneously. Her long-range radar provides a 3D search capability and can track up to 1,000 targets. The Type 45 also has a comprehensive suite of other weapons and equipment, including a 4.5-inch (114mm) main gun for shore bombardment, and is equipped with a surface ship torpedo defence system, protecting it against the most advanced torpedoes. Daring's on-board power plant can supply enough electricity to light a town of 80,000 people, and she is fitted with enough electrical cable to circle the M25 motorway three times.

HMS Exeter: last Falklands ship retires from service

HMS Exeter, the last surviving operational Royal Navy warship which took part in the Falklands War, will retire from service on Wednesday.

A decommissioning ceremony to mark the end of HMS Exeter's 29-year career, is to be held at Portsmouth Naval Base.

Amongst the 325 guests attending the event will be many of its Falklands veterans as well as 10 of its 21 former commanding officers.

The ceremony will be conducted by naval chaplain the Rev James Tabor. The ship's affiliate organisations, including Exeter City Council, will also be represented.

Exeter's white ensign will be lowered for the last time during the ceremony and it will be rounded off in naval ceremonial fashion with the cutting of a decommissioning cake.

Portsmouth-based HMS Exeter destroyed four Argentine aircraft - two Skyhawks and two reconnaissance planes - during the Falklands campaign.

The Type 42 destroyer was sent to the region from the Caribbean to replace its sister ship HMS Sheffield, the first major British casualty of the conflict.

Built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders on the Tyne, HMS Exeter was launched in 1978 and entered service in September 1980.

It was also involved in the Gulf War of 1991, employed as an escort for a US battleship and mine countermeasures vessels off the Kuwaiti coast.

In 2005 it took part in the International Fleet Review to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

During its lengthy service around the globe Exeter clocked up 892,811 nautical miles.

The Navy is replacing its ageing Type 42s with the far more capable Type 45 Daring class of destroyers.

The first of the class, HMS Daring, made its first entry to its home base at Portsmouth in January and the second, HMS Dauntless, is due to arrive next year.

Most of Exeter's ship's company have already been transferred to other posts across the naval fleet, including Daring and Dauntless.

Biggest Royal Navy Task Force Sets Sail

HMS Bulwark, which is spearheading the biggest Royal Navy Task Force to deploy to the Far East in more than a decade, set sail from Plymouth today, Wednesday 18 February 2009.

The Taurus deployment has been 18 months in the planning. It aims to maintain the Royal Navy's fighting capability as well as develop the UK's capacity to operate with key partners and allies from NATO countries and other nations to enhance interoperability.

It will also demonstrate the UK's commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean, Middle East and South East Asia.

In exercising its ability to deploy globally, the Task Force will conduct a wide range of activities, including maritime security operations, and exercising amphibious and anti-submarine warfare.

The Task Force comprises 12 ships, including a US Navy destroyer and a French Navy frigate, two nuclear-powered submarines, Royal Marines, the Fleet Diving Unit, elements of 820 and 857 Naval Air Squadrons from RNAS Culdrose, 847 Naval Air Squadron and Commando Helicopter Force Sea Kings based in Yeovil and Support Helicopter Force Chinooks from 18 Squadron, RAF Odiham.

It will be joined by ships, troops and aircraft from other nations as it transits towards South East Asia.

At its height, 3,300 personnel will take part in the 20,400 mile (32,831km) round-trip deployment, interacting, training and building relations with 17 nations.

Spearheading the deployment from his Command Ship HMS Bulwark, Royal Navy Commodore Peter Hudson, Commander UK Amphibious Task Group, said:

"Taurus is a great opportunity for the Royal Navy to demonstrate and practise a wide range of skills, specifically anti-submarine and amphibious warfare. Everybody involved is looking forward to this deployment, which has real opportunities for all. Deploying a maritime force across the globe for prolonged periods defines a premier Navy's capability. It is what we do and we do it well. It is important for UK defence that we can take such a commitment in our stride."

The Taurus deployment will be split into two phases.

Phase One will involve amphibious training with nations in the Mediterranean, culminating in a series of amphibious landings in Turkey as part of Exercise Egemen - a joint and combined exercise.

Phase Two will see part of the Task Group deploy through the Suez Canal, culminating in a multi-national training package in the primary jungles of Brunei. Riverine training will also be conducted with the Bangladeshi Navy, the first such interaction in more than a decade.

The UK-mandated deployment will remain available for a range of potential missions as required, such as humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Speaking as the Task Force prepares to deploy, Minister of State for the Armed Forces Bob Ainsworth said: "In addition to the Royal Navy's contribution to current operations, exercising its open ocean and amphibious capability is vital to demonstrating its global reach and maintaining its capacity to deliver maritime security. This deployment illustrates the Navy's versatility. It is a world class service and deploying this task group will hone its warfighting skills."

The Task Force is expected to return in August 2009.

The ships involved in the Taurus deployment are:

- Landing Platform Dock HMS Bulwark*
- Landing Platform Helicopter HMS Ocean*
- Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll
- Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset*
- United States Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS Mitscher*
- French Navy Georges Leygues-class frigate FS Dupleix
- RFA Mounts Bay
- RFA Lyme Bay
- RFA Wave Ruler*
- RFA Fort Austin
- Two Trafalgar Class submarines

* denotes units involved in Phase Two

Engagement/Exercises will be conducted with countries including: Malta, Gibraltar, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei.

Royal Navy gets high tech destroyer

The world's most advanced destroyer has been officially handed over to the Royal Navy.

HMS Daring will be the first of the Royal Navy's series of six Type 45 Destroyers to enter service.

The 7,350-tonne ship features the latest propulsion, anti-aircraft weapon and stealth technology.

Staff from BVT Surface Fleet's shipyard marched off the vessel and were replaced by its Royal Navy crew at an 'acceptance off contract' ceremony in Scotland. The new crew marched onboard after the white ensign was raised over the ship's flight deck for the first time.

The warships have nearly twice the range - about 7,000 miles - and are 45% more fuel-efficient than the Type 42 destroyers they are replacing through a £6 billion project.

Captain Paul Bennett said: "As commanding officer of Daring, it is an absolute privilege to be the first captain of a ship in the Type 45 fleet.

"Daring is a great example of our 21st century Royal Navy and both my crew and I have been looking forward to this occasion for several months while we have been standing by our ship.

"The Royal Navy team has worked tirelessly alongside BVT, Government departments and the many partners who have ensured that this ship is one of the best in the world. I must pay tribute to them for their hard work and commitment."

Speaking after the ceremony, BVT chief executive Alan Johnston said: "Today is a combination of the commitment and exceptional partnership working between BVT, the Royal Navy, the MOD and all of our partners, suppliers and contractors to produce one of the finest ships in the world that will, in the next 12 months, enter service with the Royal Navy.

"Each and every person who has been fortunate enough to play a role in bringing this ship together should be extremely proud of what they have achieved. Daring is an exceptional ship and I am delighted to be able to hand her over on behalf of BVT today."