Defender, the fifth Type 45 destroyer built by BAE Systems, recently set sail from the company’s Scotstoun shipyard to embark on its first stage sea trials off the west coast of Scotland. Exactly two years since its launch on October 21, 2009, Defender will spend approximately three weeks at sea, during which she will undergo platform trials to test her speed, manoeuvrability, power and propulsion. Defender will also undertake weapons trials and tests to demonstrate her auxiliary and domestic services.

Paul Rafferty, Type 45 Programme Director at BAE Systems’ Surface Ships business, said: “Defender’s trials period will be the shortest yet of the Type 45 destroyers, as we have incorporated lessons learned from the build and inservice support of previous ships in the class. This is a major achievement and these latest sea trials will give us the opportunity to continue to build on this success and prove the outstanding capability of the latest Type 45 destroyer.”

Defender will head to sea for second stage trials in early 2012, ahead of hand over to the Royal Navy in the latter half of the year.