Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer returns to the Clyde

HMS Defender makes its way up the River Clyde. Picture: Getty

HMS Defender arrived back in Glasgow for the first time since she was accepted into the fleet in March this year.

She will open to the public from 11am to 4pm tomorrow at King George V Dock and will also host organised tours for school pupils, Sea Cadets and university students.

HMS Defender is the fifth of Britain’s six Type 45 destroyers, which are the most advanced warships the nation has ever built.

Commander Philip Nash, HMS Defender’s Commanding Officer, said: “This is our first visit to our adopted city since the ship left Scotstoun after her initial sea trials.

“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.

“I also served on HMS Glasgow and have experienced the true warmth and hospitality this great city has to offer - we are particularly looking forward to welcoming visitors on board during our visit - especially when the ship opens to the public on Saturday.”

The ship’s mission is to shield the fleet from air attack using the state-of-the-art Sea Viper missile system and they can also be used as general-purpose warships.

They have huge flight decks to accommodate helicopters up to the size of a Chinook and enough space on board to host a Royal Marines detachment up to 60-men strong.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said: “It’s thrilling to welcome HMS Defender back to Glasgow. I am looking forward to spending the evening with the crew at a civic reception in the City Chambers this week.

“Glasgow has a strong shipbuilding and maritime tradition, and next year the Royal Marines will be given the Freedom of the City to acknowledge our highest respect for the proud history of the Royal Marine Corps and mark its enduring links with Glasgow.”

The ship will leave Glasgow on Sunday.