UK Navy's HMS Daring struggles with prolonged repair issues
HMS Daring, a Type 45 destroyer, is becoming a significant image problem for the British Navy. As noted in an analysis in Defence Journal, it stands out mainly because it spends time not at sea but in repair halls. In this regard, it has become an infamous record holder.
According to the Global Firepower 2024 report, the United Kingdom has the sixth-strongest military in the world. Although it struggles with issues such as tank forces, it is considered a standout in terms of air force and naval fleet, not only among European and global countries but even within NATO. However, some units theoretically contribute to the strength of the United Kingdom.
Ongoing repairs of HMS Daring
HMS Daring was commissioned into the Royal Navy on July 31, 2010. For the first almost seven years, it participated in various, sometimes important missions, including anti-piracy operations in the Red Sea and operations in the Persian Gulf.
Increasing problems with the cooling of the propulsion system (resulting in a loss of power) led to the decision in April 2017 to repair the ship. This would not be unusual if it were not for the fact that efforts to fully restore HMS Daring's functionality are still ongoing. The repair period of HMS Daring now exceeds the time it spent in active service.
Repair work on HMS Daring was carried out at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead and, according to communications from the British military, completed in 2022. HMS Daring returned to Portsmouth in January 2023, where it was to undergo final preparations for testing. These tests have still not taken place, casting doubt on assurances that the ship will join the British fleet this year.
An important type of ship for the British fleet
Six destroyers of this type were built for the Royal Navy in total. They are very significant for the United Kingdom in the context of air combat and the protection of larger aircraft carriers (countering targets such as fighters, drones, and anti-ship missiles).
HMS Daring is over 150 metres long and about 21 metres in width. It can achieve speeds of up to 54 km/h when fully operational. It is equipped, among other things, with the PAAMS air defence system with Aster 15 and Aster 30 missile launchers. Additionally, it has anti-ship missile and torpedo launchers, as well as a variety of cannons and machine guns.
