The UK Royal Navy has formally commissioned its new Type 45 air defence destroyer, HMS Diamond, into the fleet at Portsmouth Naval Base, UK.

HMS Diamond is one of six multirole vessels that are being built by BAE Systems to provide air defence using the Sea Viper missile system to the Royal Navy.

UK Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said the Type 45 destroyers would provide the UK with advanced air defence capabilities and will form a crucial part of the Future Force 2020.

The 152.4m-long, 7,800t destroyer can cruise at a speed of 27kt and accommodate 60 troops and their equipment, supported by a modern medical facility.

The destroyer will be further tested on combat readiness for its first deployment, scheduled for next year.

All six Type 45 destroyers are scheduled to be in service by the middle of the decade.

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