Royal Navy vessel HMS Daring docks at the Saudi port of Al Jubayl

One of the Royal Navy’s (RN) most advanced warships, the Type 45 class air defence destroyer HMS Daring made a visit to the Saudi port of Al Jubayl this week.

The warship was on its maiden deployment to the Middle East region, where it plans to take part in anti-drug trafficking and anti-piracy operations. The Navy sources claimed that the visit by the warship will help to cement the already strong military ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the UK.

Captain Guy Robinson, the Commanding Officer of HMS Daring claimed that the visit present an excellent opportunity for both the United Kingdom and the KSA and the UK to enhance their diplomatic and military ties. Capt. Robinson praised the contribution made by KSA to prevent acts of terrorism in the region and hoped that the relations between the two nations will remain strong for many more decades to come.

Later, a rugby team from the HMS Daring held a friendly match with the Al Khobar Quins, a local side. The British side won 36-5. Visits were arranged to the vessel for a number of Saudi Arabian naval staff and local children from Al Jubayl. Lieutenant Thomas Wyatt, one of the organizers for the visits said that it is highly encouraging to see children visiting and taking interest in the naval facilities. Commodore Simon Ancona, deputy commander, Combined Maritime Forces also visited the warship to meet the commanding officer and the seamen. He was in Saudi Arabia as a part of an official visit.

The 8,000 tonne warship, which was built by the BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions, is having total crew strength of 190. It was commissioned in 23 July 2009. The vessel is having an operational range of 7,000 nautical miles and top speed of 30 knots. It is armed with the Sea Viper air defence system, which includes a total of 48 MBDA Aster anti-air missiles, the SAMPSON multi-function air tracking radar, and the S1850M long range radar.