The Royal Navy published an account in July detailing the remarkable deployment of HMS Diamond in the Middle East, where the destroyer engaged in intense combat operations, safeguarded global trade routes, and supported international maritime security efforts.
Though several months have passed since her return to Portsmouth, the story remains a powerful insight into the experiences of the ship and her crew during a historic mission.
Over a ten-month deployment, the Type 45 destroyer operated in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, areas vital for international trade. The ship’s achievements included neutralising nine drones and a missile, protecting merchant vessels from indiscriminate attacks by Houthi rebels.
One of the most striking moments from the deployment occurred on 9th January, when HMS Diamond intercepted seven drones in a single engagement—an unparalleled feat for a modern Royal Navy warship.
Reflecting on the event, Lieutenant Freddy Hamblin, Officer of the Watch 4, said in the Royal Navy’s account:
“As they closed on us, the apprehension and excitement built. When US Navy units began engaging, the sky lit up like fireworks. The professionalism and skills we’ve built as a team are hard to replicate.”
Another milestone came in April when the ship intercepted a missile travelling at extraordinary speeds, the fastest target ever engaged by a British vessel.
Leading Writer Ben Maple recounted the impact of the mission, “To be part of this for real was adrenaline-inducing, and to know we saved lives will stay with me forever.”
Throughout her deployment, Diamond demonstrated her versatility and operational readiness. The destroyer travelled nearly 44,000 miles, spending 151 days at sea.
Her efforts included counter-narcotics operations in the Indian Ocean, where 2.4 tonnes of drugs were seized, and 200 hours of operational sorties by her Wildcat helicopter.
Commander Peter Evans, HMS Diamond’s Commanding Officer, commended the ship’s company when eh was quoted as saying:
“Whether it be operating within the Arctic Circle, fighting in the Red Sea, or conducting counter-narcotics operations, every success Diamond has achieved for the Royal Navy and UK Defence is due to her ship’s company.”
Although HMS Diamond’s mission concluded months ago, the Royal Navy’s account serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role Britain’s naval forces play in ensuring global security and the extraordinary dedication of the sailors who serve.
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Well done Diamond.
six was never going to be enough
Better than 12 which didn’t work properly. We are now matching the US which is a first for our DDG except for CIC. Would be good to see this developed across 45, 26 and 31.
I’d tend to agree that we are better off with six good functional destroyers.
Problem with that is the sixth one was gutted by STOROB and is proving hard to get back together as so many systems had been stripped.
Does gunboat diplomacy have a place in the modern world ? It certainly looks like it does !!!
Fortunately the Houthis don’t have many gun boats.
As a concerned civilian how would the UK defend 200 missiles like Israel did ???
A strongly worded letter should do the trick. In all seriousness the strategy is for typhoons to down cruise missiles or launch platforms north sea/atlantic before they get here, I doubt that would keep lossiemouth safe without a CAMM as a last line. As for short-intermeduate ballistic missiles, hope a operational type 45 is within 50ish miles.
And hope the T45 has some decent ASW support available as its own is non-existant ( so there’s more resources used…if only the T45 could protect itself…😞)
Should be OK if its moored up’ next to Belfast?