The latest of the Royal Navy's new Type 45 air defence destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet last week.

HMS Diamond (a Daring Class destroyer) is one of six multi-role vessels being built to provide air defence using the Sea Viper missile system.

She can embark 60 troops and their equipment, supported by a modern medical facility that can deliver a surgical capability. She could also carry up to 700 people to support a civilian evacuation (something that has been in the news recently) Hundreds of guests, including families of the 190-strong ship,s company, attended the ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base, which was conducted by the Chaplain of the Fleet.

During the ceremony the ship’s sponsor, Lady Johns, who launched the ship at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard on the River Clyde in November 2007, inspected the members of the ship’s company on parade.

HMS Diamond’s commanding officer read out a Commissioning Warrant and the ceremony was rounded off in the traditional Royal Navy fashion with the cutting of a commissioning cake. Performing the honour was the commanding officer’s wife and the youngest member of the ship’s company.

All the Type 45s will be based in Portsmouth. The first, HMS Daring, was commissioned in July 2009, followed by HMS Dauntless in June last year. The fourth, Dragon, is due to arrive in Portsmouth for the first time in September.

All six are scheduled to be in service by the middle of the decade.

DIARY DATES Today: Royal Naval Association meets at 20.00 hours at Feversham Street Sea cadets headquarters.

The Prince of Wales Own Association meets at 19.30 hours at Bradford Moor Conservative Club.

Wednesday: The Green Howards Association meets at 13.30 hours at Headingly Club.

The Coldstream Guards Association meets at 19.30 hours at Northcliffe Golf Club, Saltaire.

The Keighley branch of the Royal British Legion meets at 19.30 hours at Holingsroyd house, Lord Street.

Monday: The WRENS Association meets at 13.30 hours at the CVS Building, 19 Sunbridge Road, Bradford.