HMS Daring: Plagued by repairs, a challenge for the Royal Navy
HMS Daring, a Type 45 destroyer, is becoming a significant image problem for the British Navy. As noted in an analysis by Defence Journal, the ship mainly stands out for its time in repair docks rather than at sea. In this regard, it has become an infamous record holder.
According to the Global Firepower 2024 report, the United Kingdom has the sixth-strongest army in the world. Although it struggles with issues concerning, among others, armoured forces in terms of aviation and fleet, it stands out not just compared to individual countries in Europe and the world but even the whole of NATO. However, there are also units that theoretically only constitute the strength of the United Kingdom.
Continuous repairs of HMS Daring
HMS Daring was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 31 July 2010. For nearly seven years, it participated in various missions, including anti-piracy Red Sea operations and Persian Gulf activities.
Increasing problems with cooling the propulsion system (which resulted in power loss) led to the decision to repair the ship in April 2017. This fact would not be unusual if it weren’t for the ongoing work to restore HMS Daring to full operational status. The repair period of HMS Daring has already exceeded its time in active service.
Repair works on HMS Daring were conducted at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead and, according to statements from the British army, were completed in 2022. HMS Daring returned to Portsmouth in January 2023, where it was scheduled to undergo final preparations for tests. These have not yet occurred, casting doubt on assurances that the ship will join the British fleet this year.
An important type of ship for the British fleet
Six of these destroyers were built for the Royal Navy. They are significant to the United Kingdom in air combat and protecting larger aircraft carriers (defeating targets such as fighters, drones, or anti-ship missiles).
HMS Daring is over 492 feet long and about 69 feet wide. When fully operational, it can reach speeds of up to 29 knots. It is equipped with, among others, the PAAMS air defence system with Aster 15 and Aster 30 missile launchers. Additionally, it has anti-ship missiles and torpedo launchers, as well as a range of various guns and machine guns.
