Launch of World’s Most Advanced Warship Type-45 Destroyer
BAE Systems
Wed, 1 Feb 2006, 12:02

A crowd of around 11, 000 people is today expected to watch the launch of HMS Daring, the First of the Royal Navy’s new class of Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyers. Daring will be named and launched by Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex at BAE Systems’ shipyard at Scotstoun on the Clyde.

Looking forward to the launch, BAE Systems Naval Ships Managing Director Vic Emery said: “This is a great day for the shipbuilding community on the Clyde and for the men and women across the UK who have done so much to design and build this magnificent ship.

“The lessons we have learned on Daring will mean that the remaining five Type 45s are completed with ever-higher levels of efficiency. BAE Systems is committed to delivering capability to the Royal Navy and by doing that we will ensure that the Clyde remains the natural home of warship building in the UK.”

Many of the launch tickets have been allocated to BAE Systems staff. Apprentice sheet metal worker Cheryl Dobbie will be on the VIP platform this afternoon. Cheryl said: “Shipbuilding is an industry with a real future and ships like Daring show the world what we can do. It has been a real privilege to work on Daring and everyone in the yards is really excited about launching her, finishing this class of ships and ensuring that we continue to win more work.

“In an industry which has been dominated by men for many years, I believe it’s my job to show other young women that they can have a career in shipbuilding. Hopefully, this launch will show other girls that this is the job for them and encourage them to apply to become apprentices.”

Secretary of State for Defence John Reid added: “HMS Daring will be the most powerful destroyer the UK has ever built. The launch of this first Type 45 is a milestone to the Royal Navy of the future and is indicative of the quality and professionalism of the Clyde workforce. It is proof that the Government gives our sailors the tools they need to do their job now and in the future.”

The class of up to eight Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyers will provide the backbone of the Royal Navy fleet for the first half of the 21st century. When the ships enter service from 2009 they will be amongst the most advanced fighting ships in the world.

As the Prime Contractor for the programme, BAE Systems is responsible for design and systems integration, supervising the assembly at its own facilities on the Clyde and at VT Shipbuilding in Portsmouth and commissioning the ships to bring them into service.

The multi-billion pound programme is one of the largest defence programmes underway in the UK and is engaging a network of suppliers and partners throughout the UK and beyond, securing thousands of jobs in industry.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs 100,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately £14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.