HMS Dauntless – the second of six new formidable air defence warships – was handed over to the Ministry Of Defence at a ceremony in Portsmouth. ?

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.

Source: MoD

Search to find what you want

• Multi-million pound deal secures support for the latest navys Warships

     The MoD today announced the award of a £309m contract to BVT Surface Fleet (BVT) for the future support of the Royal Navy’s newest destroyers, the Type 45 class. This new contract is expected to sustain around one hundred and twenty jobs, primarily in Portsmouth. BVT has won the contract for

• Early retirement for survey ship

     (BBC) A Devonport-based Royal Navy survey ship is to be removed from service as part of the cuts announced by Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth.  Source

• HMS Edinburgh Naval History as She Makes Final docks for refit

     Portsmouth, United Kingdom: HMS Edinburgh has entered the dry dock in Portsmouth for a major overhaul under a ?17.5 million contract with BAE Systems. As the last of the Type 42 destroyers to undergo an upkeep period, the move marks the end of a successful maintenance schedule for the Class

• To receive order to the next generation of warships for the Royal Navy Progress

     A new generation of Royal Navy ships, designed to meet the UK’s future defence, security and peacekeeping needs, is the focus of a ?3.4 million contract awarded to BAE Systems by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). Representing a step change for the UK maritime industry, the contract significantly reduces

• Ark Royal is committed to reducing their emissions

     The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has returned to International Paint for more of the latest fuel saving technology, Intersleek 900, for the hull of the UK Navy’s flagship ‘HMS Ark Royal’ to cut fuel consumption and reduce emissions. As… Read at Ark Royal strives to cut its emissions

• Somali pirates fire on U.S. helicopters, the Navy says

     (CNN) Pirates holding a Taiwanese-flagged ship off the coast of Somalia fired on a U.S. Navy helicopter Wednesday as the aircraft monitored the ship, the Navy said.  The helicopter was not struck and all crew members were safe after the incident, the Navy said in a news release.  Source

• Last U-boat sailing to the base

     (BBC)The Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine HMS Trafalgar has sailed into its Devon base for the final time.  Devonport-based Trafalgar is the fifth Royal Navy vessel to bear the historic name and was the first British submarine to circumnavigate the globe.  Source ?

• Habia Cable Announces New SeaGuard Naval Range

     Habia Cable SeaGuard – Cables and Coaxial Cables for Naval Defence applications Lightweight and small size, the SeaGuard range of wires and cables from Habia Cable have been designed and approved for use in naval defence cable applications.?? SeaGuard and SeaGuard DS cables include low smoke, zero halogen (LSOH) and

• VIKING Serco secure and extensive Department of Defense for life raft and Service

    VIKING Life-Saving Equipment’s UK subsidiary will supply over 200 liferafts to Serco through a five year management lease and service agreement for installation on board 90 support vessels for the Royal Navy at its three main naval bases – Devonport, Portsmouth and The Clyde. The contract covers a series of

• Richardson as the new CEO V. Ships Group

     Global shipmanagement company V.Ships has appointed Clive Richardson as Group Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. He will be based in the Group’s London office. David Hoare, who has been acting Group CEO, will return to his position as Non-Executive Chairman. Mr Richardson joins V.Ships after spending 18 years with BAe

• Dry dock for ship-breaking show

    TYNESIDE ship repairer A&P is preparing to open up its dry dock for ship-breaking work in 2010 as it looks to build upon an eventful 2009 which saw it change hands and land a ?55m MoD contract. A&P was taken over last July by the Cardiff-based Bailey Group, headed by

• Fincantieri: United Arab Emirates Navy orders two stealth vessels

     Fincantieri has gained a further important new order from the United Arab Emirates Navy for the construction of two stealth vessels, “Falaj 2”. The contract includes an option for a further two sister ships for the UAE Navy and technology transfer from the Company to a local shipyard. Two of

• Ghana gives Nigeria oil tanker after pirate attack

    A hijacked Nigerian oil tanker that was intercepted by the Ghanaian navy is being returned to Nigeria. A BBC correspondent in Ghana said the ship was hijacked off the Nigerian coast near Lagos last week and captured by the Ghanaian navy after a chase. He said all the pirates got

• Russia finds missing cargo ship

     (BBC) Russia says it has found a missing cargo vessel near the Cape Verde islands and retrieved its Russian crew.  Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said that the 15-member crew had been taken on board a Russian navy vessel. They were in good condition, he said.  Source

• Drugs will find boat sailor

     (BBC) A Royal Navy sailor has appeared in court charged with smuggling cocaine into Britain on a warship.  Teresa Matos, 36, was arrested after HMS Manchester docked in Plymouth, Devon, on 10 August. Source