HMS Defender| Royal Navy

HMS Defender

HMS Defender is the fifth of the Navy’s six state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyers – Defender was built in Glasgow which is one of her two affiliated cities (the other is Exeter). After delivery to her home port of Portsmouth in July 2012 and acceptance into the Fleet in March 2013, she is now undergoing extensive sea trials and training in order to undertake operational duties anywhere in the world when tasked.

Defender resumes her sea trials as new destroyer prepares to join the Fleet

Picture Courtesy of BAE Systems
HMS Defender
HMS Defender

The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013. Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
HMS Defender

The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013.Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
HMS Defender

COMMANDING OFFICER

Philip Nash

RANK:
Commander

JOINED:
1994

SPECIALISATION:
Warfare

PREVIOUS UNITS:
HMS Coventry, HMS Glasgow, HMS Nottingham, HMS Northumberland, HMS Grafton, HMS Daring

Military experience

Philip Nash was educated at Banbury Comprehensive School and read Physics at Bristol University. After a year travelling and working around the world, including a short period working for a London firm of patent agents, he joined the Royal Navy in 1994 as a Fleet Air Arm Observer. After initial training at BRNC Dartmouth, where he was awarded the Queen’s Binoculars on passing out in 1995, he completed the Basic Observer Course in the Jetstream T2 and Gazelle aircraft at RNAS Culdrose. Selected to specialise as a Lynx Observer, he went on to complete Advanced and Operational Flying training in the Lynx Mk3 helicopter at RNAS Portland in 1997.

His initial appointments at sea were as the Lynx Mk3 Flight Observer in HMS Coventry, on operations in the Adriatic and on ARMILLA Patrol in the Gulf, and thereafter to HMS Glasgow as Flight Commander. Deployed to the Far East, South Pacific and Australasia for most of 1999 to participate in Five Powers Defence Arrangement (FPDA) exercises, Glasgow was engaged on operations during that time as part of the United Nations force assisting East Timor with transition to democratic independence. On return to the UK, and after a short spell on the HQ staff of 815 Naval Air Squadron, he served at sea again as Flight Commander, this time in HMS Nottingham, deploying to the Gulf in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 2001 and in 2002 returned to the Far East and Australasia on FPDA duties.

Having qualified for bridge watchkeeping duties whilst serving in HMS Nottingham he completed the Principal Warfare Officer course at HMS Dryad in 2003 and served thereafter as an Above Water Warfare specialist in HMS Northumberland. Duties as Operations Officer in HMS Grafton followed, deploying twice more to the Gulf, first on OPERATION TELIC, ensuring the security of key Iraqi infrastructure in the Northern Arabian Gulf, and a year later as part of the MARSTRIKE 05 Task Group. After a period as a staff officer ashore in the Naval Command HQ in Portsmouth in 2006-7, dealing with the generation of frigates and destroyers for operations, he was selected to serve as Executive Officer and Second in Command of HMS Daring. His appointment in this First of Class ship spanned emergence from build in Glasgow, through acceptance trials and commissioning, to completion of Basic Operational Sea Training. In his last appointment prior to assuming command of HMS Defender he completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Staff College, Shrivenham, gaining a Masters degree in Defence Studies.

Philip Nash is married, has 2 children and lives in Portsmouth.

UNIT DIARY

Surface Fleet

HMS Defender

Winter Newsletter31/12/12

The Winter edition of HMS Defender's newsletter.
Read more
Summer Newsletter17/08/12

The Summer edition of HMS Defender's newsletter.

Read more

WEAPONS SYSTEM

TYPE 45 DESTROYER

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Find out more

30mm Gun

Medium Calibre gun system
30mm Gun

Medium Calibre gun system
4.5Mk8 Gun

medium calibre weapon system

If you're looking for punch and firepower, then the 4.5in main gun, found on the forecastle of all the Royal Navy's frigates and destroyers, is the most obvious provider. Even in an age of missiles, there's still a need for a weapon to pulverise enemy positions and demoralise the foe - and the 4.5in gun has done so in the Falklands and Iraq. The gun can fire up to two dozen high explosive shells weighing more than 40kg (80lbs) at targets more than a dozen miles away - and nearly 18 miles if special extended-range shells are used. In various forms, the 4.5in has been the Navy's standard medium gun since before World War 2, embodied today by the Mk8 which has been in service since the early 1970s. There are two types of Mk8 used by the Fleet. The older Mod 0 (with its curved turret), which is gradually being replaced, and the angular Mod 1 (nicknamed Kryten after the robot on the sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf) which is harder for enemy radar to pick up. The main purpose of the gun is Naval Gunfire Support – artillery bombardment of shore targets. In this role the gun is capable of firing the equivalent of a six-gun shore battery. The Mk8 can also be used effectively against surface targets at sea.
Lynx Mk8

Helicopter weapons system

The Lynx truly is a jack of all trades, capable to taking on enemy ships (with Sea Skua missiles), enemy submarines (with Sting Ray torpedoes or depth charges), and smaller surface targets courtesy of machine-gun pods or sniper rifles. It can carry a Royal Marines boarding team, who abseil rapidly down ropes on to ships below, and regularly conducts surveillance and reconnaissance missions using its dazzling array of sensors, cameras and recording equipment. The Lynx is the backbone of the Fleet Air Arm and front-line operations by the frigate and destroyer fleets, operating over the ice of Antarctica and the sands of the Gulf, the expanse of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, the confines of the Strait of Gibraltar or English Channel
Phalanx

Short range machine gun

Throwing up an impenetrable wall of fire, Phalanx is one of the deadly last lines of defence for Britain's warships. It is fitted to Type 42 and Type 45 destroyers and Bay, Wave and Fort Victoria-class ships in the RFA Capable of engaging targets around one mile away, Phalanx is a radar-controlled Gatling gun which fires 20mm shells, spewing out 3,000 rounds a minute. Like Goalkeeper, it is designed to engage incoming enemy aircraft and missiles if they penetrated a ship or task group's outer ring of defences such as Sea Viper or Sea Dart. During Operation Telic, Phalanx guns were removed from ships and were crewed by sailors defending Basra airport, the hub of British operations in southern Iraq. The guns saw extensive action against incoming rockets and mortars fired by insurgents.
Phalanx

Short range machine gun

Throwing up an impenetrable wall of fire, Phalanx is one of the deadly last lines of defence for Britain's warships. It is fitted to Type 42 and Type 45 destroyers and Bay, Wave and Fort Victoria-class ships in the RFA Capable of engaging targets around one mile away, Phalanx is a radar-controlled Gatling gun which fires 20mm shells, spewing out 3,000 rounds a minute. Like Goalkeeper, it is designed to engage incoming enemy aircraft and missiles if they penetrated a ship or task group's outer ring of defences such as Sea Viper or Sea Dart. During Operation Telic, Phalanx guns were removed from ships and were crewed by sailors defending Basra airport, the hub of British operations in southern Iraq. The guns saw extensive action against incoming rockets and mortars fired by insurgents.
Sea Viper

Surface to Air missile system

Sea Viper is the punch of the Type 45 destroyers, the very reason the ships exist - and the reason why that main mast is so tall. The missile provides all-round defence – not just for the destroyer but for an entire naval task group - against all aerial threats some 70 miles away. It races towards its target at speeds in excess of Mach Four (over 3,000mph) using a series of tiny jets to manoeuvre, carrying out sharp turns at G forces no human could endure. The system comprises Sampson radar (the spinning egg atop the Type 45’s main mast), a Combat Management System, long-range radar, the Sylver missile-launching system on the destroyer's forecastle and Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles with ranges up to 20 and 75 miles respectively. Until January 28 2009 – the date of the arrival of the first Type 45, HMS Daring, in Portsmouth – Sea Viper was known as PAAMS: Principal Anti-Air Missile System. The missiles were tested at France's missile range, the Centre d’Essais de Lancement des Missiles on Île du Levant, off Toulon, using a special trials barge, Longbow, before the first successful firing from Type 45. That came off the Outer Hebrides in September 2010 at the Benbecula ranges, where HMS Dauntless successfully shot down a drone target.

ABOUT THE UNIT

KEY STATISTICS

Pennant: D36

Displacement: 8,000tonnes

Complement: 190personnel

Length: 152Metres

Beam: 21.2metres

Draught: 5.3metres

Top Speed: 30+knots

Range (Nautical): 7,000nautical miles

Launch Date: 21/10/09

Commissioning date: 21/03/13

Telephones Aboard: 404

TAKE A LOOK

HMS Defender

- HMS Defender–road to Twickenham
  
  HMS Defender–road to Twickenham
- HMS Defender–road to Twickenham
  
  HMS Defender–road to Twickenham
- HMS Defender–road to Twickenham
  
  HMS Defender–road to Twickenham
- HMS Defender–road to Twickenham
  
  HMS Defender–road to Twickenham
- Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival
- Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival
- Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival
- Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival
- Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival
- Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival
- Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival
- Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival
- Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival
- Defender demonstrates sporting talent
  
  Defender demonstrates sporting talent
- Defender demonstrates sporting talent
  
  Defender demonstrates sporting talent
- Defender demonstrates sporting talent
  
  Defender demonstrates sporting talent
- Defender demonstrates sporting talent
  
  Defender demonstrates sporting talent
- Defender champions best of British
  
  An alternative view of Defender.
- Defender champions best of British
  
  Defender champions best of British at massive maritime festival in Hamburg
- Defender champions best of British
  
  Defender champions best of British at massive maritime festival in Hamburg
- Defender champions best of British
  
  One of the numerous tall ships hot on Defenders stern.
- Defender champions best of British
  
  Even the Medium Calibre Gun dressed up with its ceremonial tampion shining in the sunshine.
- Defender champions best of British
  
  Defender champions best of British at massive maritime festival in Hamburg
- Defender champions best of British
  
  Defender champions best of British at massive maritime festival in Hamburg
- Defender champions best of British
  
  Defender champions best of British at massive maritime festival in Hamburg
- HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day
  
  AB (SEA) Bland and the Team show off the flag during Sea Boat training on route to participate in the port of Hamburg ‘Birthday Festival’
- HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day
  
  Left to Right - ET(ME) Gregs Gregory, ET (ME) Hobbo Hobson, JWEO - SLt Katie Ives RN, AW (WS) EW Spud Murphy, LS (WS) AWW Zach Newnham
- HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day
  
  AB (Logs) Samantha Smith flies the flag
- HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day
  
  Defenders Galley team take 5 from the rigours of ‘Chefing’.
- HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day
  
  CPO ET(WE) Daryl Griffiths takes time from his ‘snowers’ schedule to fly the flag.
- HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day
  
  HMS Defender Ships Company take time out from ‘Procedure Alpha’ Training on route to participate in the port of Hamburg ‘Birthday Festival’
- HMS Defender Joins the fleet
  
  HMS Defender the fifth of the Royal Navys powerful new Type 45 destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet today (March 21).Hundreds of guests including families of the 190 ship's company attended a colourful Christening ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base to mark the ship's transition into front-line service
- HMS Defender Joins the fleet
  
  HMS Defender the fifth of the Royal Navys powerful new Type 45 destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet today.Lady Julie Massey - the ships sponsor who launched the vessel at BAE Systems, Govan shipyard on the River Clyde on 21 October 2009 inspected members of the ships company
- HMS Defender Joins the fleet
  
  HMS Defender the fifth of the Royal Navys powerful new Type 45 destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet today.Vice Admiral Philip Jones, Fleet Commander RoyalNavy inspected members of the ships company.
- HMS Defender Joins the fleet
  
  HMS Defender the fifth of the Royal Navys powerful new Type 45 destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet today.Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey, Fleet Commander RoyalNavy inspected members of the ships company.
- HMS Defender Joins the fleet
  
  HMS Defender the fifth of the Royal Navys powerful new Type 45 destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet today.Commander Phillip Nash, HMS Defenders Commanding Officer and Lady Julie Massey meeting memebers of Royal Marine band members
- HMS Defender Joins the fleet
  
  HMS Defender the fifth of the Royal Navys powerful new Type 45 destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet today.Members of the ships company conducting divisions.
- HMS Defender Joins the fleet
  
  HMS Defender the fifth of the Royal Navys powerful new Type 45 destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet today.The youngest member of the ships company with his older sister.The youngest member of the ships company - Engineering Technician (Marine Engineer) Stephen Smith - who serves on the ship
- HMS Defender Joins the fleet
  
  HMS Defender the fifth of the Royal Navys powerful new Type 45 destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet today.Royal Navy traditional cutting of a commissioning cake.Commanding Officers wife, Rebecca along with the youngest member of the ships company - Engineering Technician (Marine Engineer) Stephen Smith .
- HMS Defender Joins the fleet
  
  HMS Defender the fifth of the Royal Navys powerful new Type 45 destroyers was formally commissioned into the fleet today.Chaplain of the Fleet conducting
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender test her guns
- HMS Defender
  
  The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013.Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
- HMS Defender Christmas Carols
  
  Portsmouth Cathedral choir visited 20th December and joined the Ship’s company in singing carols to end the term.
- HMS Defender Christmas Carols
  
  Portsmouth Cathedral choir visited 20th December and joined the Ship’s company in singing carols to end the term.
- HMS Defender Christmas Carols
  
  Portsmouth Cathedral choir visited 20th December and joined the Ship’s company in singing carols to end the term.
- HMS Defender Christmas Carols
  
  Portsmouth Cathedral choir visited 20th December and joined the Ship’s company in singing carols to end the term.
- World’s best Defender makes debut for Exeter City
  
  Sailors from HMS Defender celebrated their affiliation with Exeter City FC when they were given VIP treatment by the club. Nearly 4,000 fans applauded them on to the pitch at St James’ Park as the Devon side hosted Rotherham.
- World’s best Defender makes debut for Exeter City
  
  Sailors from HMS Defender celebrated their affiliation with Exeter City FC when they were given VIP treatment by the club. Nearly 4,000 fans applauded them on to the pitch at St James’ Park as the Devon side hosted Rotherham.
- Navy pays its respects on Remembrance Day
- Navy pays its respects on Remembrance Day
- HMS Defender Remembers
- HMS Defender Remembers
- HMS Defender Remembers
- HMS Defender Remembers
- HMS Defender’s Leading Physical Trainer Craig Horsman held an epic 12 hour spinning class onboard
  
  AB Logs Sam Smith, LET(WE) Vicky Thomas, AB CIS Pickford and LET(WE) Paddy Young enjoy a down hill sprint.
- HMS Defender’s Leading Physical Trainer Craig Horsman held an epic 12 hour spinning class onboard
  
  LET(WE) Vicky Thomas and AB Logs Sam Smith celebrate a completed leg as the CO, XO (Lt Cdr Charlotte Yemm) admire their efforts.
- HMS Defender’s Leading Physical Trainer Craig Horsman held an epic 12 hour spinning class onboard
  
  LPT Horsman looks on as (L-R) the CO, AB Logs Sam Smith, and AB CIS Pickford push on.
- HMS Defender’s Leading Physical Trainer Craig Horsman held an epic 12 hour spinning class onboard
  
  LPT Horsman sports yet another Ivan Lendl style head band.
- HMS Defender’s Leading Physical Trainer Craig Horsman held an epic 12 hour spinning class onboard
  
  LPT Horsman relieved to have finished another epic achievement.
- HMS Defender’s Leading Physical Trainer Craig Horsman held an epic 12 hour spinning class onboard
  
  LPT Horsman can see the finishing straight
- HMS Defender plays host to Army colleagues
- HMS Defender plays host to Army colleagues
- HMS Defender plays host to Army colleagues
- HMS Defender plays host to Army colleagues
- Defender experiences the Lynx effect during first helicopter trials
- Defender experiences the Lynx effect during first helicopter trials
- Defender experiences the Lynx effect during first helicopter trials
- Defender experiences the Lynx effect during first helicopter trials
- Defender experiences the Lynx effect during first helicopter trials
- Defender experiences the Lynx effect during first helicopter trials
- Defender experiences the Lynx effect during first helicopter trials
- HMS Defender leaving Portsmouth Harbour
- HMS Defender leaving Portsmouth Harbour
- HMS Defender leaving Portsmouth Harbour
- HMS Defender give three cheers to HMS York
- HMS Defender Salutes HMS York
- HMS Defender Salutes HMS York
- HMS Defender Salutes HMS York
- HMS Defender Salutes HMS York
- HMS Defender Salutes HMS York
- The ship's affiliations in the hangar
- Commander Nash addresses affiliations
- Commander Nash and Captain Michael Rawlinson, the last CO of the previous HMS Defender
- Ship's sign
- PO Williams, Mr Jeff Merrett (Dream-A-Way affiliation) and Commander Nash
- Deputy Fleet Commander Takes First Tour Of Defender
- Deputy Fleet Commander Takes First Tour Of Defender
- Deputy Fleet Commander Takes First Tour Of Defender
- Deputy Fleet Commander Takes First Tour Of Defender
- Deputy Fleet Commander Takes First Tour Of Defender
- HMS Defender
  
  HMS Defender's first entry into Portsmouth.Pictured here is HMS defender passing Fort Blockhouse at Portsmouth.The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013.Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
- HMS Defender
  
  The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013.Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
- HMS Defender
  
  HMS Defender's first entry into Portsmouth. Pictured here is HMS Defender Passing the beach on her way to her new home. The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013. Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
- HMS Defender
  
  HMS Defender's first entry into Portsmouth. Pictured here is HMS Defender passing through the Harbour walls. The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013. Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
- HMS Defender
  
  HMS Defender's first entry into Portsmouth. Pictured is HMS Defender Sailing into the dockyard.The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013. Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
- HMS Defender
  
  The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013. Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
- HMS Defender
  
  The Royal Navyâs newest Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Defender, has sailed into her new home at HM Naval Base Portsmouth for the first time today (Wednesday). The 7,500 tonne vessel has been formally accepted by the Royal Navy from shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime and will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operations in 2013. Armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, HMS Defender is able to defend against multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles, approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow
- HMS Defender
- HMS DEFENDER in build
- HMS DEFENDER in build
  
  DEFENDER LAUNCH MAKES A SPLASH ON THE CLYDE Glasgow, United Kingdom: Defender, the fifth of the Type 45 anti-air warfare destroyers for the Royal Navy, was successfully launched from BVT Surface Fleetâs shipyard at Govan on the Clyde today (21 October 2009). HMS Defender was launched and named by Lady Massey, wife of Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey KCB CBE ADC, in front of over 12,000 people who flocked to the shipyard to join the celebrations for the Glasgow and Exeter affiliated ship.Alan Johnston, Chief Executive of BVT Surface Fleet, said: âThe launch of Defender highlights the significant progress we have made on the Type 45 programme this year and Iâm delighted that so many people have turned out to share this occasion with us.
- HMS DEFENDER in build
  
  SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA
- DEFENDER in build
- HMS Defender
- HMS Defender
- HMS Defender conducting sea trials
- Defender resumes her sea trials as new destroyer prepares to join the Fleet
  
  Picture Courtesy of BAE Systems
- HMS Defender
- HMS Defender
- New CO For Defender
- New CO For Defender
- DEFENDER's cycle team
- DEFENDER's cycle team
- DEFENDER's cycle team
- DEFENDER's cycle team
- HMS DEFENDER'S Charity Cycle team
- DEFENDER's cycle team
- CO, CDR Philip Nash RN & Centre Left – Depute Lord Provost Bailie Leonard surrounded by the cycling team and Ships Staff
- CO, CDR Philip Nash RN & Left – Depute Lord Provost Bailie Leonard with DEFENDER PR Board
- Right - CO, CDR Philip Nash RN & Centre-Miss Andrea Macbeath, Head Teacher of Kelbourne Park School (Ships Glasgow Charity) Left – Depute Lord Provost Bailie Leonard with DEFENDER PR Board
- CO, CDR Philip Nash RN sets the team off.
- Right - CO, CDR Philip Nash RN & Left – Depute Lord Provost Bailie Leonard with the Ships cyclists
- HMS DEFENDER's cycle team continues
- HMS DEFENDER's cycle team continues
- HMS DEFENDER's cycle team continues
- HMS DEFENDER's cycle team continues
- HMS DEFENDER's cycle team continues
- HMS DEFENDER's cycle team continues
- HMS DEFENDER's cycle team continues
- CO welcomes the crew
- whole crew
- HMS DEFENDER visits Kelbourne School
- Defender visits Kelbourne School
- Cycle team with welcoming party
- In Pincesshay Square
- In Princesshay Square with Exeter's Cadet Corps
- Cycling into Princesshay Square
- Cdr Nash RN presents Cadets with 2011 Efficiency Pennent
- WO2 Boyd (SCC) RNR presents Cdr Nash RN with TS Galatea ship’s badge

UNITS IN TIME

HMS Defender HISTORY

TRACK THE HISTORY OF SHIPS NAMED HMS Defender

HMS Defender

There have been seven previous ships of this name. The first was a 12-gun brig that was disposed of in 1802 during the Peace of Amiens
1804

Only two years later, the second HMS Defender was a 14-gun brig launched in 1804 and wrecked in 1809.
1809

The third Defender was a captured French privateer, previously the Beau Marseille. Captured by HMS Royalist, she was sold in 1814.
Colonial torpedo boat

The fourth Defender was a second class colonial torpedo boat, and can still be seen on display at the Torpedo Boat Museum in Lyttleton, New Zealand.
Battle History

The next HMS Defender was commissioned in 1911, a destroyer which saw extensive action throughout World War 1 before being sold in 1921.
Battle Honours

Heligoland 1914
Battle Honours

Dogger Bank 1915
Battle Honours

Jutland 1916 - Damaged by a German shell but was able to carry out sufficient repairs to return to base in Aberdeen with HMS Onslow in tow, an act for which her captain, Lieutenant Commander L R Palmer, received the Distinguished Service Order.
The Fifth Defender

The fifth Defender was an Inter-War destroyer which deployed in the Mediterranean during WW2, taking part in the clashes at Spartivento and the great night-time victory off Cape Matapan. She was lost off Egypt in 1941 when bombed by the Germans on a convoy run to Tobruk.
Battle History

Calabria 1940 Spartivento 1940
Battle History

After a brief spell as a shore establishment in Liverpool during the later stages of the Battle of the Atlantic, the Defender name returned to the high seas in the form of a 1950 Daring-class destroyer which found the wreck of the Prince of Wales off Malaysia, supported operations at Suez in 1956, and took part in both the Coronation Review of 1953 and celebrations surrounding the investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1969. She ended her days as a target ship.
The latest Defender

The current HMS Defender is the fifth Type 45 Desetroyer. She was launched in 2009 and is expected to enter service in 2013.

1797
1804
1809
1883
1911
1914
1915
1916
1932
1940
1950
2009

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VIEW BY VESSEL

HMS Defender

HMS Defender

Defender resumes her sea trials as new destroyer prepares to join the Fleet

HMS Defender

HMS Defender

HMS Defender Leaves Glasgow

HMS Defender

HMS Defender

COMMANDING OFFICER

Philip Nash

Military experience

UNIT DIARY

Surface Fleet

HMS Defender

Winter Newsletter31/12/12

Summer Newsletter17/08/12

WEAPONS SYSTEM

WEAPONS SYSTEM

TYPE 45 DESTROYER

30mm Gun

Medium Calibre gun system

30mm Gun

Medium Calibre gun system

4.5Mk8 Gun

medium calibre weapon system

Lynx Mk8

Helicopter weapons system

Phalanx

Short range machine gun

Phalanx

Short range machine gun

Sea Viper

Surface to Air missile system

ABOUT THE UNIT

KEY STATISTICS

TAKE A LOOK

HMS Defender

HMS Defender–road to Twickenham

HMS Defender–road to Twickenham

HMS Defender–road to Twickenham

HMS Defender–road to Twickenham

Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival

Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival

Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival

Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival

Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival

Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival

Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival

Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival

Royal Navy puts great into British at Hamburg port festival

Defender demonstrates sporting talent

Defender demonstrates sporting talent

Defender demonstrates sporting talent

Defender demonstrates sporting talent

Defender champions best of British

Defender champions best of British

Defender champions best of British

Defender champions best of British

Defender champions best of British

Defender champions best of British

Defender champions best of British

Defender champions best of British

HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day

HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day

HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day

HMS Defender supports Armed Forces day