Her construction began at the then BAE Systems Naval Ships yard at Scotstoun on the River Clyde in December 2005 and by December 2007 the bow section was in place on the Govan slipway to marry up with the other sections. She was commissioned on 20 April 2012.
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Here are some of her finest moments so far that include a great image of the £75m of narcotics seized, in the largest ever Gulf drugs bust in 2018.
. HMS Dragon memories
HMS Dragon's Mk8 Lynx Helicopter conducted day into night flying. As part of the sortie it fired all of it's countermeasure flares as the sunset over the ship on the 19th Septemember 2013. Photo: L(Phot) Dave Jenkins
. HMS Dragon memories
September 2013. One of HMS Dragon's boarding teams conducts live firings from the ship's sea boat in an exercise. Photo: L(Phot) Dave Jenkins
. HMS Dragon memories
March 2011. The Launch of the new Type 45 HMS Dragon at BVT Govan. Photo: LA(PHOT) Simon Ethell
. HMS Dragon memories
Drugs haul. HMS Dragon conducted an anti-narcotics operation in the Indian Ocean on 8th December 2018 . Photo: The News archive
. HMS Dragon memories
HMS Dragon sailing out of Portsmouth Harbour in March 2014. Taken by Lt Cdr Shaun Roster, MOD Fleetlands. Photo: The News archive
. HMS Dragon memories
22nd November 2013. Families and well wishers welcome the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon back to Portsmouth following her recent deployment to The Indian Ocean and The Mediterranean. Picture: Ian Hargreaves (133207-6) Photo: The News archive
. HMS Dragon memories
The Bridge of HMS Dragon with the two Lynx helicopters alongside in 2013. Picture: L(Phot) Dave Jenkins Photo: L(Phot) Dave Jenkins
. HMS Dragon memories
2nd April 2013. HMS Dragon's Mk8 Lynx Helicopter conducted Mountain Flying training in the Slopes that surround Souda Bay, Crete. The Aircrew flew through the valleys making their way to the 7,000ft summit before dropping off the Ships Leading Photographer for a Photex. HMS Dragon's Flight Officers L-R LT Gleave (Pilot), LT Cambrook (FLOBS), LT CDR Ellerton (Flight Commander) and LT Prevett (FLOBS). Photo: L(Phot) Dave Jenkins
. HMS Dragon memories
6th May 2015. HMS Dragon homecoming. CPO James Hopkins passes his hat to his son Blake Hopkins. On a very windy morning HMS Dragon returned to Portsmouth from a successful six-month patrol across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The Type 45 destroyer travelled 22,000 miles and visited 15 ports strengthening ties with her allies and continuing the UK’s commitment to the region. The deployment included routine patrols of the Falkland Islands and supporting the community of Tristan De Cunha by moving stores and supplies around the island. She also worked alongside maritime forces from Africa, Europe, South America and the US in a training exercise in the Gulf of Guinea designed to improve regional cooperation and information-sharing practices, while stopping illegal activity at sea. Photo: LA(PHOT) Luron Wright
. CPO James Hopkins passes his hat to his son Blake Hopkins.
HMS Dragon returned to Portsmouth on 6th May 2015 from a successful six-month patrol across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Photo: la(phot) Dave Jenkins
. HMS Dragon memories
HMS Dragon seizes £75m of narcotics, in largest ever Gulf drugs bust in 2018 Photo: The News archive
. HMS Dragon memories
HMS Dragon's departing Commanding Officer, Commander Darren Houston leaves the ship in a Tracked Armoured Fighting Vehicle provided by its affiliated regiment, The Royal Welsh on the 20th December 2012. HMS Dragon's Commanding Officer, Commander Darren Housten, handed over Command of the ship to Captain Ian Lower. Commander Housten has been the ship's Commanding Officer since April 2011. Photo: LA(Phot) Guy Pool
. HMS Dragon memories
HMS Dragon was rededicated in a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base on Friday the 8th July 2016. Picture: Sarah Standing (160941-3402) Photo: The News archive
1. HMS Dragon memories
September 2013. One of HMS Dragon's boarding teams conducts live firings from the ship's sea boat in an exercise. Photo: L(Phot) Dave Jenkins
2. HMS Dragon memories
March 2011. The Launch of the new Type 45 HMS Dragon at BVT Govan. Photo: LA(PHOT) Simon Ethell
3. HMS Dragon memories
Drugs haul. HMS Dragon conducted an anti-narcotics operation in the Indian Ocean on 8th December 2018 . Photo: The News archive
4. HMS Dragon memories
HMS Dragon sailing out of Portsmouth Harbour in March 2014. Taken by Lt Cdr Shaun Roster, MOD Fleetlands. Photo: The News archive