Jun 05 - HMS Defender Heads to Gibraltar on Maiden Deployment
On its maiden deployment to the Middle East where she will carry out maritime security operations, the Royal Navy Type 45 HMS Defender will stop in Gibraltar this weekend, during which time she will welcome the public on board.
The vessel is the fifth of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45s. Built by BAE Systems on the Clyde, she was commissioned into the Navy’s fleet in March 2013. Since then the ship and her 200 sailors have undergone intensive sea trials off the UK coast.
Commanding Officer of the Defender Phil Nash commented how proud he was of his ship’s company and all they have achieved during preperation. He added, ‘having been through intense training we are ready for a challenging deployment as part of the Royal Navy’s standing commitment in the Middle East.
‘We will provide reassurance to the UK’s allies in the region, whilst conducting maritime security and counter-piracy patrols.’
HMS Defender, like others of its type, Dragon and Diamond, is designed primarily for air defence, but is able to conduct a multitude of tasks including air surveillance, anti-submarine operations, counter piracy, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions.
The open day will run from 11am – 4pm.
