Thousands watch as British launch €8.4m destroyer

AN AUDIENCE of thousands cheered yesterday as the Royal Navy’s newest ship was launched.

The Type 45 destroyer Diamond slid into the River Clyde from a yard in Glasgow yesterday afternoon, watched by about 10,000 people.

Costing about £600 million (€8.4m) and bristling with the latest equipment, she has been hailed the most advanced craft of her type.

The 7,350-tonne ship features the latest propulsion, anti-aircraft weapons and stealth technology and can make herself appear as small as a fishing boat to enemy radar. The ship is armed with missiles that are 20 times more manoeuvrable than a Formula One car. Among the crowd at the ceremony were more than 3,000 schoolchildren, who were invited from across Scotland.

They were treated to a firework display at the yard to mark the occasion.

First Sea Lord Admiral Jonathon Band, who was in Glasgow for the launch, said: “The Type 45 destroyers will be powerful and versatile ships, capable of undertaking a wide range of military tasks.

“They are based on first-class innovation and engineering that will set new standards in air defence and will ensure the Royal Navy remains at the forefront of the world’s navies.”

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Ann Taylor said: “The new Type 45 Destroyers — such as Diamond — will be the most powerful destroyers ever built for the Royal Navy.

“We are in the middle of the biggest shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy in decades and today’s launch of Diamond demonstrates the scale of that investment.

“I look forward to following Diamond’s progress through her sea trials,” she said.

Diamond will now undergo a series of sea trials until being officially received by the Royal Navy.