Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan deploys for Red Sea to relieve HMS Diamond

Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan has been deployed to the Red Sea.

The warship was seen leaving from Portsmouth on Monday and will relieve her sister ship HMS Diamond, who has been protecting shipping lanes in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks since before Christmas.

Notably, last month HMS Diamond shot down a Houthi missile – the first combat interception of this type in more than 30 years.

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HMS Duncan will be a like-for-like replacement for Diamond – armed with the same Sea Viper missile system and equipped with the same radar systems, which can accurately detect faraway threats.

During her deployment, HMS Diamond has shot down nine drones and one missile that were launched by Houthis from the coast of Yemen at cargo ships.

HMS Duncan completed trials and training last week in preparation for the deployment, which will see the ship work to "ensure freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for merchant vessels", according to the Ministry of Defence.

Last year, the warship spent five months leading Nato's premier task group in the Mediterranean Sea, until handing over flagship duties to the Italian navy in December.

HMS Duncan is now ready for more operations, with more than 60 new members joining the ship's company.