Diamond in the rough (Opinion)
Pictured amid the fog is the Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond docked at HMNB Portsmouth loading bay. (Photo: UK MoD)
The speed, manoeuvrability and endurance of destroyers are an asset to any deploying force. However, technical issues can put these formidable ships out of action, making them little more than expensive flotsam.
This year, the misfortunes of the RN Daring-class Type 45 destroyer have been a sage reminder of the importance of fleet numbers to availability and the limits of the UK’s destroyer fleet.
In July, HMS Diamond was forced to detach from the UK’s Carrier Strike Group 2021 (CSG 21) due to ‘technical’ issues. The destroyer stayed alongside in Sicily while the rest of the strike group transited the Suez Canal.
Diamond suffered a failure of one of her gas turbines that had to be replaced. The issue added to a long history of the class’s mechanical problems and raised
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Anduril Australia shows first Ghost Shark for RAN at factory opening]()
Anduril Australia shows first Ghost Shark for RAN at factory opening
The new underwater vehicle has been described as an "important deterrent" thanks to its ability to operate undetected for extended periods of time.
-
![First Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker is “on track” for keel laying in late 2026]()
First Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker is “on track” for keel laying in late 2026
Canadian Coast Guard Ship Arpatuuq construction is in the block manufacturing phase. Once built, it will be the largest vessel in the Coast Guard’s inventory.
-
![US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship]()
US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship
NAVSEA plans to select up to three suppliers for the concept design phase of the programme in Q2 FY2026.
-
![South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch]()
South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch
Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.
-
![ST Engineering Marine expands capacity, seeks regional partners for growth]()
ST Engineering Marine expands capacity, seeks regional partners for growth
The company could be looking to collaborate with other Asian nations as well as countries further afield as it pushes ahead with its shipyard expansion plans.
