Duncan, the sixth and final Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer built for the Royal Navy, has been successfully launched from BAE Systems’ shipyard.
Launched by Lady Sponsor Mrs Marie Ibbotson, wife of Vice
Admiral Richard Ibbotson CB DSC Deputy Commander in Chief Fleet,
Duncan slid down the slipway into the Clyde, marking a pivotal
moment in British shipbuilding heritage. The crowd of over 14,000
gathered to watch the iconic scene highlighting the enormous sense
of pride in shipbuilding on the Clyde that remains at the heart of
the local community.
Alan Johnston, Managing Director of BAE Systems' Surface Ships
division, said: "Today's launch marks the culmination of a hugely
successful production phase on the Type 45 programme. Today's
event is a celebration of the hard work and commitment of everyone
involved and it's remarkable to see so many people turn out to
share this occasion with us.
"The warships built at our yards Clyde and in Portsmouth are among
the best in the world. We continue to invest in our people and
facilities to ensure we retain this enviable reputation of British
shipbuilding expertise and remain competitive for the long-term
success of our business."
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Minister,
Peter Luff, said: "The launch of Duncan is the result of a huge
effort by workers here on the Clyde, across the country throughout
the supply chain, and in the MOD, completing this class of potent
warfighters of which everyone involved can be very proud.
"Following on from HMS Daring being declared in service and the
successful first firing of the Sea Viper missile system, this is
another significant milestone in the delivery of a truly
world-class air defence capability to the Royal Navy."
Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, said: "The Type
45 is world-class; these ships are as versatile as they are
powerful. Providing flexible global reach they will deliver broad
utility, common to maritime forces, and give the UK military,
diplomatic and political options, with their ability to exert
effect on land from the sea. This ranges from deterrence and
conflict prevention right up to high intensity war fighting and all
points between.
"Naturally her war-fighting capability includes the ability to
engage hostile forces using the Sea Viper missile system, her gun
or other onboard weapon systems, while her Ship's Company provide
anything from boarding parties that deter and disrupt pirates, to
landing ashore for the provision of humanitarian disaster
relief. HMS Duncan can also deploy up to 60 Royal Marines
Commandos and their equipment and operate a range of helicopters
from her flight deck. These are fantastic ships and I look
forward to HMS Duncan joining the Fleet."
Named after Admiral Lord Viscount Adam Duncan who defeated the
Dutch fleet in the Battle of Camperdown on 11 October 1797, it is
fitting that Duncan the sixth Royal Navy ship to carry the name, is
launched exactly 213 years after this historic battle.
Among those gathered for the launch were representatives from the
ship's affiliated cities of Dundee and Belfast, local
schoolchildren, community groups, industry partners and employees
who have worked on the ship since her first steel was cut in
February 2008. At 60 per cent complete, Duncan, is the heaviest and
most advanced of all the Type 45s at launch. She will now proceed
to the company's Scotstoun yard where she will enter the next phase
of outfit and commissioning.
Duncan's launch comes only weeks after the third ship in the
class, Diamond, was accepted off contract, joining her sister ships
HMS Daring and HMS Dauntless at their home port of Portsmouth. With
the first three vessels in the class handed over, BAE Systems is
more than half way through the programme to deliver all six ships
to the Royal Navy by the end of 2013.
The first of class, HMS Daring, entered service on 31 July and is
currently on her first operational deployment, while HMS Dauntless,
the second of class, was handed over to the Royal Navy last
December and commissioned into service in June. The fourth ship,
Dragon, will undertake her first sea trials next month, while the
final stages of outfit are underway on Defender, the fifth ship in
the class.
As Class Output Manager for the fleet, BAE Systems will transfer
the expertise developed during the ships' build to provide
effective support to the fleet in-service. The company will
coordinate all aspects of repair, maintenance and support to the
Type 45s, improving ship availability and reducing through life
support costs to enable the Royal Navy to meet its operational
commitments around the world.
Source: BAE
Systems