The first Type 45 destroyer, HMS Daring, set sail on January 11, on her maiden deployment. The Portsmouth-based warship will spend the next seven months east of Suez, safeguarding sea lanes and working with the UK’s allies in the region.

Eleven years after she was ordered, nine years after the first steel was cut, six years since she was launched, and three years after she first arrived in Portsmouth, HMS Daring is ready to continue with the Navy’s long-term presence east of Suez. Daring is the first of six £1bn Type 45s, four of which have been handed over to the Royal Navy, with three ready for frontline duties. She will take over from frigate HMS Argyll on a varied mission that includes tasks ranging from counter-piracy and safeguarding sea lanes to working with the nation’s allies and flying the flag for Britain.

She sails with her 200-plus ship’s company. Her normal complement has been bolstered by a specialist Royal Marines boarding team from the Fleet Protection Group and all those aboard are eager to show off what has been hailed as one of the most advanced warships in the world: Last year was largely dominated by training, trials and tweaks. The ship fired her Sea Viper – the missile system around which she is built – for the first time off Scotland in May. She was fitted with Phalanx automated guns over the summer and underwent two months of operational sea training in the autumn.

DIARY DATES

Today, The Royal Marines Association meets at 19.30hrs at West Bowling Working Men’s Club, Dovesdale Road, The Royal Naval Association meets at 20.00hrs at Feversham Street Sea Cadets HQ.

Wednesday, The Coldstream Guards Association meets at 19.30hrs at Northcliffe Golf club, Saltaire, The Prince of Wales Own Association meets at 19.30hrs at Northcote Conservative Club, The Green Howards Association meets at 13.30hrs at Headingley Club, The Royal British Legion, Keighley Branch, meets at 19.30hrs at Holingsroyd House, Lord Street Keighley.