DUNCAN, the sixth and final Type 45 destroyer built by BAE Systems, has set sail from the Clyde in preparation for her handover to the UK Royal Navy.
DUNCAN set off from the company's Scotstoun yard with a combined
BAE Systems and Royal Navy crew for the 600 mile journey to her new
home port of Portsmouth. The departure of DUNCAN was delayed due to
a technical issue and the BAE Systems team has worked tirelessly
with the Ministry of Defence to complete repairs over the weekend.
The team will now actively work to complete the delivery programme
in record time ahead of formal handover to the Royal Navy on
arrival at Portsmouth.
Jennifer Osbaldestin, Type 45 Programme Director at BAE Systems,
said: "DUNCAN is an outstanding vessel and we are all extremely
proud to see her begin her delivery voyage to Portsmouth. After a
very successful build period she will now become the newest asset
in the fleet. When the White Ensign is raised, she will be formally
handed over to the Royal Navy and will join her sister ships,
completing the class of highly capable and advanced Type 45
destroyers.
"Today's achievement is the culmination 13 years' of hard work
and commitment from our employees across the UK, who have worked
together with the Royal Navy to deliver the six cutting-edge
destroyers. From our engineering team in Filton, to the bows,
masts, combat systems and radar technology developed in the
Portsmouth area and manufacture, systems integration testing and
commissioning of the complete ships on the Clyde."
The Type 45s will provide the backbone of the UK's naval air
defences for the next 30 years and beyond. The destroyers are
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.
Source: BAE
Systems