Warship HMS Duncan Commissioned

'HMS Duncan', the sixth and last of the Royal Navy's new-generation Type 45 destroyers, has been formally commissioned into the fleet.

Hundreds of guests, including families of the 190-strong ship’s company, attended the ceremony marking the ship’s transition into front line service.

Principal guests at the commissioning ceremony included Lady Marie Ibbotson – the ship’s sponsor who launched the vessel at BAE Systems ’ Govan shipyard on the River Clyde in October 2010 – and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas. Dignitaries from the ship’s affiliated cities of Belfast and Dundee and veterans from the last HMS Duncan – a Type 14 frigate in service between 1957 and 1985 – were also present.

The first four Type 45s have already experienced life on operational deployments and the fifth, HMS Defender, is due to deploy for the first time next year.

Now commissioned, HMS Duncan will continue an intense period of trials and training around the UK lasting well into next year before being ready to undertake operational tasking along with her sister ships around the globe.