The UK Navy’s HMS Edinburgh, the last of the Type 42 destroyer, has begun its sea trials after a £17.5m overhaul by BAE.

HMS Edinburgh’s commanding officer, Commander Paul Russell, said the ship would be ready for operational service later this year.

“We now have to put Edinburgh through her paces at sea and turn a safe and fully equipped vessel into a war-fighting unit once again,” he said.

The vessel will undergo sea trials to test its propulsion machinery, radar and communication equipments, and its ability to conduct flying operations.

The ship will also be evaluated for radar cross section, heat, magnetic and acoustics before conducting live firings of medium and close range weapons.

The destroyer will be formally rededicated to the navy fleet in early November 2010.

BAE will continue to support the ship through her operational sea training in early 2011.