included are HMS Defender carrying out a £3.3m drugs bust in the Middle East in December 2019, in December 2014 after more than six months away deployed on high intensity operations in the Northern Gulf and leaving on her second major deployment in October 2015.
13. HMS Defender memories
HMS Defender and her Commanding Officer, Commander Phil Nash, played host recently to 40 members of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club (RREC) Southern Central Section, along with 15 of their beautiful motor cars.
The visit by the RREC was an ideal opportunity to show off the Royal Navys newest Type 45 destroyer which itself is Rolls-Royce powered, to members of the local community. Photo: The News archive
14. HMS Defender memories
Defending with all guns blazing. The Royal Navys newest Type 45 destroyer has been undertaking intense sea trials off the south coast to test all of her guns.
HMS Defender has been testing every single system onboard the new ship to ensure it is ready for operation. From radars to engines, computer systems to radios they have all had their turn, but more recently the upper deck gunnery systems have taken centre stage in the trials programme.
Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Pearce Royal Navy, Weapon Engineer Officer of HMS Defender, said: It is much more than just making the guns go bang; these intense trials have ensured that all our equipment functions precisely as designed. It has also given our teams, both maintainers and operators, a chance to really get some hands on ordnance engineering under their belts. Photo: The News archive
15. HMS Defender memories
First steel cut at VT Shipbuilding in Portsmouth naval base on the fifth Type 45 destroyer, HMS Defender.
HMS Defenders start (l to r) VT Shipbuilding laser cutter operator Benny Yorke, MoD project team leader Matt Roberts and VT Shipbuilding Managing Director Geoff Smith. Photo: The News archive
16. HMS Defender memories
HMS Defender returns home in 2016. Pictured Emily Anderson Welcomes home her father
Portsmouth-based warship HMS Defender returned home 8th July 2016 from a nine month deployment to the middle east carrying out security operations.
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth performed on the jetty as the crowds eagerly awaited the return of sailors on board.
Hundreds of proud family and friends waved and cheered as the ship came alongside, clearly delighted to welcome their loved ones home.
Image: LPhot Kyle Heller Photo: LPhot Kyle Heller