Latest Type 45 destroyer enters service with the Royal Navy

The navy vessel is the second in the fleet of six air defence destroyers and has undergone months of extensive sea trials. She recently returned from the Hebrides where she successfully fired the world-leading air defence missile system, Sea Viper, for the first time. The ship will now undergo further trials and training to prepare for her first operational deployment planned for next year.

"HMS Dauntless" is the second of six Type 45 destroyers being built for the Royal Navy. All will be based in Portsmouth.
The first, HMS Daring, was commissioned last July and the third, Diamond, will make her first entry into Portsmouth by the end of the year. All six are scheduled to be in service by the middle of the decade.

In addition to its air defence capability, one of the Type 45s greatest assets is its versatility. The Type 45 will be able to act as a base platform for a deployable headquarters, from where operations can be commanded. The Type 45 will also be able to embark up to 60 troops (over and above its own complement) and their equipment, and support them with a modern medical facility that can deliver surgical capability. The Type 45 has a large flight deck that can accommodate helicopters. The ship can also take up to 700 people if necessary to support a civilian evacuation from war zones or natural disasters.