HMS Defender open to public

One of the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyers, HMS Defender, is making a three-day visit to Glasgow during which time it will be open to the public.

HMS Defender returns to Glasgow ahead of public opening

One of the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyers, HMS Defender, is making a three-day visit to Glasgow during which time it will be open to the public.

The ship was built by BAE and launched at its Govan yard in 2009. It entered the fleet in March and is undergoing testing before active service.

Defender is due to arrive at King George V Dock, near Braehead on the River Clyde, on Friday morning.

It will be open to the public from 11:00 to 16:00 GMT on Saturday.

The ship will also host organised tours for pupils from a number of Glasgow schools, as well as groups of Sea Cadets and university students.

‘Special reception’

Commander Philip Nash, HMS Defender’s commanding officer, said: “I am hugely proud to be the first commanding officer to bring her back to the city and river where she was built.

“My ship’s company and I feel extremely privileged to be affiliated to Glasgow and are honoured to have been invited by the Lord Provost and Glasgow City Council to a special reception at the City Chambers.

“Glasgow has a very proud and distinguished maritime heritage and Defender is an extremely visible reminder of that.”

The 7,350-tonne ship is designed to provide air defence cover.

The other five new Type 45 destroyers are HMS Daring, HMS Dauntless, HMS Diamond, HMS Dragon and HMS Duncan.

Source: BBC.