HMS Diamond firing Sea Viper missiles in anger in the Red Sea (Picture: Royal Navy)

The drone silhouettes are painted onto the bridge wing of HMS Diamond and account for each Houthi drone the ships has successfully neutralised (Picture: LPhot Chris Sellars Royal Navy)

HMS Diamond's final transit through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait where most Houthi attacks take place (Picture: Gareth Smith Royal Navy)

Commanding Officer of HMS DIAMOND, Commander Peter Evans RN during HMS DIAMONDS final transit through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait (Picture: Gareth Smith Royal Navy) — Commanding Officer of HMS Diamond, Commander Peter Evans, during her final transit through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait (Picture: Gareth Smith Royal Navy)

Royal Marine Boarding Team conducting boarding training (Picture: LPhot Gareth Smith Royal Navy)

USS Laboon, RFA Lyme Bay, RFA Argus, USS Gravely and HMS Diamond (Picture: Chris Sellars Royal Navy)

HMS Diamond escorts Littoral Response Group south through the Red Sea (Picture: Chris Sellars Royal Navy) — HMS Diamond escorts Littoral Response Group (South) through the Red Sea (Picture: Chris Sellars Royal Navy)

HMS Diamond flight deck (Picture: Royal Navy)

HMS Diamond operation deck during Op, Prosperity Guardian (Picture: Royal Navy) — HMS Diamond operation deck during Op Prosperity Guardian (Picture: Royal Navy)

HMS Diamond on Red Sea deployment (Picture: Royal Navy)

Navy

Never-before-seen images of HMS Diamond's intense deployment in Red Sea

The Royal Navy has released never-before-seen images, offering a new glimpse into HMS Diamond's deployment in the Red Sea, where the Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer played a pivotal role in countering Houthi rebel threats.

HMS Diamond was part of the international Operation Prosperity Guardian – a task force set up to protect global commercial shipping amid the attacks.

These newly released images provide an intimate look at the challenges faced by the Type 45 destroyer during her deployment in the Red Sea.

One image shows HMS Diamond escorting the Littoral Response Group (South) through the Red Sea.

There is also an image of the destroyer alongside USS Laboon and USS Gravely, ensuring the safe passage of RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus.

Another striking image shows the Commanding Officer overseeing HMS Diamond's final transit through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, marking the start of her journey home.

The collection also highlights HMS Diamond's dramatic interception of Houthi attacks.

A picture, captured in daylight, shows a Sea Viper missile being launched from the vessel.

It was on the deployment that HMS Diamond became the first Royal Navy warship to fire Sea Viper in anger.

In total, HMS Diamond intercepted nine drones and one ballistic missile whilst on Operation Prosperity Guardian.

In an exclusive broadcast interview with BFBS Forces News, the ship's Commanding Officer, Commander Pete Evans, said HMS Diamond had made some tactical tweaks to deal with the threat posed by the Houthi rebels.

He said the downing of a Houthi ballistic missile was his highlight of the deployment.

"I mean, that type of missile is incredibly fast, incredibly difficult to engage successfully," Cdr Evans said.

"But the ship's company was so well drilled and so well prepared that they were able to acquire the target and engage it and keep not only Diamond but also a nearby merchant vessel safe.

"I think that innovation and that flexibility and that readiness is absolutely superb."