HMS Daring, the first of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, is preparing to return to sea after an extended period of refit and regeneration, according to a parliamentary answer from Defence Minister Luke Pollard.
Responding to a written question from Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Pollard said:
“HMS Daring entered service on 31 July 2010 and has delivered effect on operations since. As with all Royal Navy vessels, during her in service period there have been periods of ‘planned’ unavailability including Daring’s Propulsion Improvement Programme (PIP) which commenced in October 2021, completing in January 2023. Since her return to His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth, HMS Daring has been re-generating and has received several capability upgrades.”
The Ministry of Defence declined to release figures on the exact number of days the destroyer has spent at sea or under repair, citing the existing schedule of readiness reporting to the House of Commons Defence Committee.
Daring’s regeneration marks a big moment for the Type 45 fleet, which has undergone major engineering work under the Power Improvement Project. The programme replaces the class’s original propulsion system with more reliable and efficient engines designed to enhance endurance and electrical capacity for future weapons and sensors.
Since being withdrawn from operational service in 2017, HMS Daring has spent more than 3,000 days in refit, a period longer than the time it took to build her. Now, with upgraded power and combat systems, the destroyer is crewing up for sea trials ahead of rejoining front-line service.
Good news. We have all been awaiting this for some time.
Perhaps an extending period of operational activity for the T45s is now possible.
You never know the next few years might see images of all T45s at sea together.
Best looking ships on the seas IMO.
Just how George could resist putting “Extended” in quotation marks shows what a true Steely Eyed Journalist he is. Me I’d have stuck 🤭 emoji in as well.
Just to put this “extended” into context.
HMS Daring was laid down 28/03/03 and commissioned on 23/07/09 that’s 2309 days.
HMS Daring was laid up 01/06/17 and up to today that’s 3063 days.
For once I just have no words to express my feelings !
“The Ministry of Defence declined to release figures on the exact number of days the destroyer has spent at sea or under repair”
Hiding. Come out, you charlatans.
“HMS Daring entered service on 31 July 2010 and has delivered effect on operations since.”
Apart from sitting at Pompey since 2017. Delivered effect? So in plain English, it conducted operations and conducted training.
A book of stunningly inept, obvious, untrue, or half truth quotes from MoD Spokespeople or Ministers would be quite something.
Should have had Cat’s and Trap’s from the bloody beginning, that’s what I say. 😠
“planned” unavailabilty…..for eight years !