Jump to content

HMS Diamond (D34)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other ships with the same name, see HMS Diamond.

HMS Diamond in 2016
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Diamond
Ordered20 December 2000[1]
BuilderBAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions
Yard number1063[2]
Laid down25 February 2005
Launched27 November 2007
Sponsored byLady Johns
Commissioned6 May 2011[3]
Identification
Motto
  • Honor clarissima gemma
  • ("Honour is the brightest jewel")
Nickname(s)"The Jewel in the Naval Crown"
StatusTo undergo Refit
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeType 45 Guided missile destroyer
Displacement8,000[7] to 8,500 t (8,400 long tons; 9,400 short tons)[8][9][10]
Length152.4 m (500 ft 0 in)
Beam21.2 m (69 ft 7 in)
Draught7.4 m (24 ft 3 in)
Installed power
Propulsion
SpeedIn excess of 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)[12]
RangeIn excess of 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h)[12]
Complement191[13] (accommodation for up to 235)
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried
Aviation facilities
  • Large flight deck
  • Enclosed hangar

HMS Diamond is the third ship of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence guided missile destroyers built for the Royal Navy. She was launched in 2007, and completed her contractor's sea trials and arrived at her base port in 2010. Diamond formally entered service in 2011.

It is equipped with a SAMPSON active electronically scanned array multi-function radar system that allows the Diamond to track 2,000 threats from over 250 miles away, a Sea Viper missile system that can launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds and can guide up to 16 missiles simultaneously, a Wildcat HMA2 helicopter with Martlet air-to-surface missiles, and a 4.5-inch Mark 8 naval gun.

In December 2023, Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, with a Sea Viper missile, in what the UK Ministry of Defence said was the first time in decades that the Royal Navy had shot an aerial target in anger. On 10 January 2024, the Houthis carried out a more daring attack on US and UK ships. This was a missile barrage, and all the missiles were shot down by Diamond, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and other naval vessels.[35][36]

Construction and sea trials

[edit]

Diamond's construction began at the BAE Systems Naval Ships yard at Govan on the River Clyde in February 2005. She was launched on 27 November 2007.[37]

By July 2010, Diamond had been fully fitted out and finished her contractors' sea trials (stage 1 trials). She arrived in her base port of HMNB Portsmouth on 22 September 2010.[38][39][40]

Operational service

[edit]

2011–19

[edit]
Diamond operating with HMAS Melbourne in 2012

Diamond was commissioned in a traditional ceremony on 6 May 2011 in her home port of Portsmouth. The ceremony was attended by the ship's sponsor and the Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Trevor Soar.[41] Diamond continued undergoing sea trials until she entered operational service in July 2011 after the completion of her trials. The ship conducted operational training before beginning her first overseas deployment.[40] Diamond began her deployment in the summer of 2012,[42] starting with celebrations to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.[43]

Diamond was in the Middle East Area of Operations in 2012. During Operation Recsyr in February 2014, she escorted MV Ark Futura carrying chemical agents from Syria.[44]

On 8 May 2017, Diamond performed a demonstration firing of an Aster 30 missile off the coast of Scotland.[45]

On 4 September 2017, Diamond sailed for a 9-month deployment to the Middle East. Initially scheduled to relieve HMS Monmouth,[46] she was diverted to take over as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 from sister-ship HMS Duncan when her intended relief, HMS Ocean was redeployed to provide relief to British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Irma.[47]

Diamond was relieved of her NATO duties upon the return of Ocean from the Caribbean on 30 October, and resumed her planned deployment to relieve Monmouth.[48] On 23 November, The Times reported that Diamond was being forced to abandon her deployment and return to Portsmouth early due to mechanical issues, which was later confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.[49][50]

2020–present

[edit]
Diamond firing a Sea Viper (Aster) missile

On 10 April 2021, Diamond left Portsmouth to conduct a 41-gun salute after the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. The ship flew her ensign at half-mast.[51]

In 2021, the ship initially deployed to the Far East as part of the UK carrier strike group centred on aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. She detached from the group for repairs in July. due to reported "technical issues" likely linked to longstanding power and propulsion reliability issues with ships of the class.[52] It was later reported that the ship had "suffered a failure of one of her gas turbines".[53] Repairs were undertaken in Taranto, Italy. At the end of August, Diamond returned to sea to rejoin the group.[54] In mid-October 2021, after rejoining the strike group, the destroyer again experienced "technical issues", this time reportedly not related to her propulsion system and a decision was made to dock in Singapore to have them addressed.[55]

In September 2023, Diamond, with a Wildcat HMA2 helicopter, again escorted Queen Elizabeth for her "Operation Firedrake" deployment in northern European waters.[56] In November, the destroyer deployed to the Persian Gulf to reinforce HMS Lancaster, the Royal Navy's guardship in the region.[57]

On the night of 15 December 2023, Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone launched from a Islamist Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, with a Sea Viper (Aster) missile.[58] The UK Ministry of Defence said it was the first time in decades that the Royal Navy had shot an aerial target in anger.[59] The Houthis declared themselves part of the "axis of resistance" of Iran-affiliated groups.[60] The Houthis, backed by Iran, intensified their attacks in the area, targeting both commercial vessels and military ships, including those from the United Kingdom.[61] In the aftermath of the shoot down and a spate of attacks by Houthi militia on civilian vessels Diamond was assigned to join the international task force protecting ships that travel through the Red Sea.[62] On 9 January 2024, Diamond repelled the largest Houthi drone attack to date, alongside US Navy ships. Diamond was targeted in the attacks but successfully repelled them using Sea Viper missiles and gunfire.[63] This attack, along with prior attacks on commercial shipping, led to the 2024 missile strikes against Yemen in response.[64][65][66] On 10 February 2024, Diamond arrived in Gibraltar for a period of maintenance and resupply after being relieved by HMS Richmond in the Red Sea. She was adorned with kill markings for nine Houthi drones which she had shot down across three engagements.[67]

After resupply HMS Diamond then returned to the Red Sea, including providing escort to the ships of Littoral Response Group South as they deployed to the Indian Ocean.[68] She then resumed her role in protection of merchant shipping in the region. On 24 April 2024, Diamond defended the American container ship MV Maersk Yorktown and shot down a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile. This was the first ballistic missile kill for the Sea Viper air defence system and the first Royal Navy missile-to-missile interception in combat since the Gulf War.[69] In May 2024, it was announced that HMS Diamond was to be relieved in theatre by her sister ship HMS Duncan.[70]

On 9 June 2024, the Ministry of Defence denied that a ballistic missile was launched at the ship in June, as claimed by Houthis.[71]

Characteristics

[edit]
Main article: Type 45 destroyer § Characteristics

Diamond is primarily designed for anti-air warfare, able to defend against targets such as fighter aircraft, drones, and highly maneuverable sea-skimming anti-ship missiles travelling at supersonic speeds.[72]

The ship's SAMPSON active electronically scanned array multi-function radar system allows the Diamond to track threats from over 250 miles away, and to guide friendly missiles.[73] It can track over 2,000 targets and simultaneously control and coordinate multiple missiles in the air at once, allowing a large number of tracks to be intercepted and destroyed at any given time. The US Naval War College has suggested that the SAMPSON radar is capable of tracking 1,000 objects the size of a cricket ball travelling at three times the speed of sound (Mach 3), emphasising the system's capabilities against high-performance stealth targets.[72] This makes it particularly difficult to swamp the system during a saturation attack, even if the attacking elements are supersonic.[74]

The ship's Sea Viper missile system can launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds, and can guide up to 16 missiles simultaneously.[73] MBDA describes Aster as a "hit-to-kill" anti-missile missile capable of intercepting all types of high-performance air threats at a maximum range of 120 km.[75] The Aster missile is autonomously guided and equipped with an active RF seeker enabling it to cope with "saturated attacks" thanks to a "multiple engagement capability" and a "high rate of fire".[75]

Diamond also carries a Wildcat helicopter with Martlet air-to-surface missiles.[73] It is armed with a 4.5-inch Mark 8 naval gun, as well as sophisticated electronics.[73]

Affiliations

[edit]

Ship's sponsor

[edit]

Official affiliations

[edit]

Other

[edit]

As part of her affiliation with Coventry, Diamond carries a cross of nails created from the remains of Coventry Cathedral. At the end of the Second World War a cross of nails was created out of the wreckage and has been presented to all ships that carry the name Coventry. It was recovered from the wreck of HMS Coventry by divers after she was sunk in the Falklands War. and presented to the crew of Diamond on her commissioning by Captain David Hart-Dyke, the commanding officer of Coventry at the time of her sinking.[39]

The City of Sheffield was offered affiliation to Diamond, but this was turned down by Sheffield City Council and the Lord Mayor, who want the city associated with another HMS Sheffield.[78] The affiliation has now been transferred to the City of Coventry.[79][80]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Nicoll, Alexander (21 December 2000). "Vosper suffers blow over destroyer order". Financial Times. London. The MoD yesterday signed a £1.2bn contract with BAE Systems to oversee design and building of the first three destroyers...
  2. ^ "HMS Diamond". Clyde-built Ship Database. Archived from the original on 6 May 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "HMS Diamond to join fleet". The News. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Doff your caps to Diamond". Navy News. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  5. ^ "Call Sign Book" (PDF). Combined Communication Electronics Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  6. ^ "World Shipping Register – Ship Index". Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  7. ^ "Type 45 Destroyer". Royal Navy. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  8. ^ "HMS Daring leaves Sydney after spectacular week of celebrations". Royal Navy. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  9. ^ "For Queen and Country". Navy News (July 2012): Page 8. One hundred or so miles west of the largest city of Abidjan lies the fishing port of Sassandra, too small to accommodate 8,500-tonnes of Type 45.
  10. ^ "HMS Duncan joins US Carrier on strike operations against ISIL". Navy News. Royal Navy. 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015. As well as supporting the international effort against the ISIL fundamentalists – the 8,500-tonne warship has also joined the wider security mission in the region.
  11. ^ "HMS Daring". Wärtsilä. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  12. ^ a b "HMS Daring - Type 45 facts by Royal Navy.pdf". Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  13. ^ Royal Navy (11 July 2013). A Global Force 2012/13 (PDF). Newsdesk Media. ISBN 978-1-906940-75-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2018. Complement as of 24 April 2013
  14. ^ "Raytheon Press Release" (PDF). 8 March 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  15. ^ "Jane's Electro-Optic Systems". 28 October 2010. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  16. ^ "Fleet to get the latest in electronic surveillance" (PDF). DESider. Ministry of Defence. September 2012. p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2012.
  17. ^ "UK to buy Shaman CESM for Seaseeker SIGINT programme". IHS Janes Defense. 29 June 2014.
  18. ^ "Type 45 Ballistic Missile Defence upgrade to support more than 100 UK jobs". UK Government. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  19. ^ "HMS Defender destroys drone in exercise which paves the way for future of air defence at sea". royalnavy.mod.uk. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  20. ^ "Snapshot: The Royal Navy escort fleet in April 2024". Navy Lookout. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  21. ^ "£500m firepower upgrade for Type 45 destroyers". GOV.UK. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  22. ^ "Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers – reaching their full potential with addition of Sea Ceptor missiles". Navy Lookout. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  23. ^ Scott, Richard (19 December 2023). "First NSM fit on RN Type 23 frigate". Janes. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Contenders for the Royal Navy's interim anti-ship missile requirement". navylookout.com. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  25. ^ @NavyLookout (17 March 2023). "@HMSDuncan sails from Portsmouth this afternoon. Has been re-equipped with Harpoon missiles - the first Type 45 to carry SSM for several years" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "Can the UK supply anti-ship missiles to Ukraine?". 10 April 2022.
  27. ^ Scott, Richard (16 February 2022). "UK confirms cancellation of I-SSGW programme". Janes Information Services. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  28. ^ "Snapshot: The Royal Navy escort fleet in April 2024". Navy Lookout. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Royal Navy to buy the Naval Strike Missile". Navy Lookout. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  30. ^ "Royal Navy ships to be fitted with advanced new missile system". gov.uk. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  31. ^ "The all-rounder – the 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun in focus". Navy Lookout. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  32. ^ "In focus: the 50 cal heavy machine gun in Royal Navy service". Navy Lookout. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  33. ^ "Royal Navy's Sea Venom light anti-ship missile full operating capability delayed until 2026". Navy Lookout. 21 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Air Defence Destroyer (T45)". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 31 October 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2007.
  35. ^ Wintour, Patrick; Sabbagh, Dan (10 January 2024). "Britain warns of severe consequences after Houthi attack in Red Sea repelled". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  36. ^ "Houthis call west's bluff with renewed Red Sea drone assault". The Guardian. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Destroyer launches on Clyde". BBC News. 27 November 2007. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
  38. ^ "Diamond Enters Portsmouth Naval Base for First Time". Royal Navy. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010. [dead link]
  39. ^ a b "Navy's newest ship will carry a poignant reminder of the past". Portsmouth News. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  40. ^ a b "HMS Diamond enters service". UK Ministry of Defence. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  41. ^ "HMS Diamond welcomed in Portsmouth with ceremony". BBC News. BBC. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  42. ^ "HMS Diamond". Royal Navy. 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  43. ^ "HMS Diamond marks Jubilee with Portsmouth celebrations". BBC News. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  44. ^ "Royal Navy warship completes Syria chemical weapons mission". gov.uk. Ministry of Defence (UK).
  45. ^ "HMS Diamond shows Type 45's potent firepower in high sea missile test". Royal Navy. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  46. ^ "HMS Diamond sails for the gulf for nine month operational deployment". Royal Navy. 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  47. ^ "Warship to help with hurricane relief operations". The News. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017.
  48. ^ "HMS Ocean assumes NATO flagship role in the Mediterranean". Royal Navy. 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  49. ^ "HMS Diamond aborts Gulf mission after breaking down". The Times. 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  50. ^ Baldwin, Harriett (12 December 2017). "HMS Diamond:Written question – 117262". UK Parliament. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  51. ^ "Royal Navy ships fire at sea in honour of Prince Philip", BBC News, archived from the original on 17 December 2021, retrieved 12 April 2021 – via YouTube.com
  52. ^ "Most of the Royal Navy's destroyers are unavailable for deployment". Defense News. 21 July 2021.
  53. ^ "Details of HMS Diamond's maintenance in Taranto revealed". UK Defence Journal. 9 November 2021.
  54. ^ @NavyLookout (1 September 2021). "Good news. @hmsdiamond sailed from Taranto🇮🇹 early yesterday morning after completing repairs to major engine defe…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  55. ^ "HMS Diamond in port due to 'technical issues'". UK Defence Journal. 18 October 2021.
  56. ^ "2023 Carrier Strike Group deployment begins". Navy Lookout. 11 September 2023.
  57. ^ "HMS Diamond sent to the Gulf in response to rising tension in the Middle East". Navy Lookout. 30 November 2023.
  58. ^ "U.K., American Warships Shoot Down Houthi-Launched Drones in Red Sea". USNI News.
  59. ^ "HMS Diamond: British warship shoots down suspected attack drone in Red Sea". BBC News. 16 December 2023.
  60. ^ Gecsoyler, Sammy (16 December 2023). "UK and US navy vessels shoot down suspected attack drones in Red Sea". The Guardian.
  61. ^ "Breaking News: British Navy's HMS Diamond Neutralises Aerial Drone Threat in Red Sea Amid Rising Houthi Activity". Navy Recognition. 16 December 2023.
  62. ^ "British destroyer ordered to join international task force protecting the Red Sea". Sky News. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  63. ^ Haynes, Deborah (10 January 2024). "'Largest Houthi attack to date' in Red Sea repelled by HMS Diamond and US warships, Grant Shapps says". Sky News.
  64. ^ Baldor, Lolita; Copp, Tara (11 January 2024). "US, British militaries launch massive retaliatory strike against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen". AP News. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  65. ^ Borger, Julian (12 January 2024). "Strikes on Houthis could bring Biden closer to the regional war he sought to avoid". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  66. ^ "Five dead as UK and US forces launch 'targeted strikes' against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen". ITV News. 12 January 2024. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  67. ^ "HMS Diamond Sports Kill Markings As It Pulls Into Gibraltar". The Warzone. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  68. ^ "The UK Littoral Response Group (South) arrives in the Indo-Pacific". Navy Lookout. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  69. ^ "HMS Diamond makes first Sea Viper anti-ballistic missile kill in action in the Red Sea". Navy Lookout. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  70. ^ "HMS Duncan to protect vital shipping routes from Houthi attacks". Royal Navy. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  71. ^ "Yemen's Houthis say they targeted British destroyer in Red Sea". Al-Arabiya News. 9 April 2024.
  72. ^ a b Lombardi, Ben; Rudd, David (Summer 2013). "The Type 45 Daring-Class Destroyer: How Project Management Problems Led to Fewer Ships". Naval War College Review. 66 (3). U.S. Naval War College. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  73. ^ a b c d "UK Deploys One of its Most Advanced Vessels to the Middle East". The Maritime Executive.
  74. ^ Beedall, Richard. "UK PAAMS". Navy Matters. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  75. ^ a b "Aster Anti-Missile Missile" (PDF). MBDA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  76. ^ a b c d e f g h "HMS Diamond Affiliations". Royal Navy. 2011. Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  77. ^ "CCF – Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School".
  78. ^ "Give us our HMS Sheffield". Sheffield Star. Archived from the original on 23 December 2007. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  79. ^ "Agenda of Meeting of Sheffield City Council, Wed 6 June 2007 (Article 10)". Sheffield City Council. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
  80. ^ "Navy broadside for city ship bid". Sheffield Star. Archived from the original on 23 December 2007. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to IMO 4907763.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HMS_Diamond_(D34)&oldid=1251897860"