The Duke of Kent has taken an in-depth look around HMS Duncan – the Royal Navy’s newest warship.
The Type 45 destroyer hosted the Duke in his capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Guards – the ship’s affiliated Army regiment.
He spent a couple of hours on board, sailing from the ship’s home port of Portsmouth and disembarking at the Marchwood military port in Southampton.
The Duke was given a presentation on the role and capabilities of the Type 45 air defence destroyer and toured the ship’s key areas including the bridge, operations room and control centre – the fighting heart of the ship.
Duncan’s Commanding Officer, Commander James Stride, said,
“We are delighted with our affiliation with the Scots Guards and today’s visit by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent further cements the relationship between our two services.”
The Duke was particularly impressed with the Duncan’s main armament known as Sea Viper.
The surface-to-air missile system can defend the ship and escort vessels from hostile incoming aircraft and missiles approaching at subsonic and supersonic speed.
HMS Duncan was commissioned into the Royal Navy’s fleet at a ceremony in Portsmouth last week and is about to undergo a further period of trials in UK waters.
[mappress] Press Release, October 02, 2013; Image: Royal Navy