Portsmouth Naval Base Commander signals progress on fourth Type 45

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An initial production milestone has been achieved on the bow of HMS Dragon, the fourth ship of the new Type 45 Class. Commodore David Steel, the new Portsmouth Naval Base Commander, positioned the first shell plate stringer on the bow section to signal progress on the first stages of production of the ship.

Commodore David Steel (left) and VT Shipbuilding Portsmouth Facility Managing Director Francis Paonessa view the first section of HMS Dragon. [Picture: DLO]


Francis Paonessa, Managing Director of VT Portsmouth Shipbuilding Facility, which is building the bows of the warships commented:

"It was Commodore Steel’s first visit to the modern VT Shipbuilding facilities, which represent the cutting edge of shipbuilding technology in the UK. He was impressed by the considerable level of activity taking place."

VT is building the bow sections of all six initial ships in the Daring Class. The new ships will displace 7,350 tonnes and are over 150 metres in length. HMS Daring, the first ship to be built in the class was launched earlier this month.

The first section of HMS Daring had been delivered to the prime contractor BAE Systems in Glasgow in June 2005 and consolidated with the rest of HMS Daring. The uptakes and masts of each ship are also being built by VT, with the first ship set to leave Portsmouth in the spring.


Computer generated illustration of a Type 45.


VT is currently working on the bow sections and other elements of ships two and three in the Class, whilst awaiting the outcome of decisions on Type 45 ships seven and eight after submitting a tender to BAE Systems to build the same blocks.

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