Type 45 Destroyer HMS Duncan Commissioned

HMS Duncan – the sixth and last of the Royal Navy’s new-generation Type 45 destroyers – has been formally commissioned into the fleet on September 26th 2013.

Hundreds of guests including families of the 190 ship’s company attended a colourful ‘Christening’ ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base to mark the ship’s transition into front-line service. Principal guests at Duncan’s ceremony included Lady Marie Ibbotson – the ship’s sponsor who launched the vessel at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard on the River Clyde in October 2010 – and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas.

The hour-long ceremony was rounded off in traditional Royal Navy fashion with the cutting of a commissioning cake. Performing the honour were the CO’s wife, Emma, along with the youngest member of the ship’s company – Logistician (Steward) Clancey Welford, aged 18.

HMS Duncan will continue an intense period of trials and training around the UK lasting well into next year before being ready to undertake operational tasking along with her sister ships around the globe.

The first, HMS Daring, was commissioned in July 2009 and has been followed by sister ships Dauntless, Diamond, Dragon, Defender and now Duncan.

The Type 45s will provide the backbone of the UK’s naval air defences for the next 30 years and beyond. The destroyers will be capable of carrying out a wide range of operations, including anti-piracy and anti-smuggling activities, disaster relief work and surveillance operations as well as high intensity war fighting.

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Press Release, September 27, 2013