The Royal Navy’s two newest warships – formidable air defence destroyers HMS Daring and Dauntless – have performed side-by-side at sea for the first time.
The Type 45 destroyers successfully completed a series of complex manoeuvres south of the Isle of Wight .
The pair sailed at high speeds to simulate the defence of a high-value warship and also put their communications equipment to the test as a warm-up to intensive operational sea training later this year.
Captain Richard Powell, HMS Dauntless’ Commanding Officer, said:
“Today marks a significant step forward in the development of the Type 45 class. Conducting joint trials in this way will further enhance the potent capability of the Type 45. It also marks an important step in the delivery of the 21st century Navy.”
“We have been able to build on the successes of HMS Daring over the last year and in Dauntless we are delivering a warship that the Royal Navy and the nation will be really proud of.”
Commander in Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, who was embarked in Dauntless witnessing the historic moment said:
“I’m really positive about these ships. I have seen them from the very beginning, through the design and planning to the trials.”
“It is very much like watching the children growing up. They have been great kids and now they are growing up to be great adults.”
The Portsmouth-based ships will work together for two further days before going their separate ways and continuing their respective trials programmes.
HMS Daring was commissioned into the RN last July and is due to formally enter service later this year.
Meanwhile Dauntless will be commissioned in June and is expected to enter operational service in 2011.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar