HMS Dauntless departs Portsmouth for sea trials ahead of Ex Strike Warrior

HMS Dauntless has set sail from Portsmouth to begin a series of sea trials ahead of her participation in the upcoming Exercise Strike Warrior.

Departing at around 8:30 am, she passed HMS Queen Elizabeth before heading into the open waters of Portsmouth Harbour, with families gathered to wave off the crew.

Accompanied by two tugs, the Type 45 Daring-class destroyer slipped into the sea on a breezy morning along the south coast.

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HMS Dauntless is the second ship of the Daring class, a fleet of six destroyers that make up some of the most advanced warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy.

Equipped with the cutting-edge Sea Viper anti-air missile system, HMS Dauntless and her sister ships are vital in defending naval task groups from aerial threats.

HMS Dauntless holds the distinction of being the first Daring-class destroyer to fire the Sea Viper missile.

Beyond her primary role in air defence, HMS Dauntless is known for her versatility. The Daring Class ships are capable of a broad range of missions, including counter-narcotics operations.

They are also designed to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief in times of crisis, making them a flexible asset in both warfighting and peacekeeping operations.