HMS Dragon roars again

A colourful ceremony to mark HMS Dragon’s return to the front line took place in Portsmouth on Friday 8 July.

The Type 45 destroyer has been out of action for a year while she’s undergone a major upgrade.

Dragon was rededicated in a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base in front of hundreds of guests including friends and families and members of the ship’s affiliate organisations.

Improvements to the ship – carried out by BAE Systems - have included upgrades to weapons, IT, communications and marine engineering systems. Her huge rudders have also been overhauled.

HMS Dragon also has a fresh coat of paint and her popular 12-ft tall decorative red Welsh dragons on her bow have been given a facelift.

Two Typhoon aircraft from the ship’s affiliate RAF unit – 11 Squadron – performed a flypast to mark the start of the ceremony. 

Principal guest was Susie Boissier – the ship’s sponsor who launched the vessel on the Clyde in 2008.

Her Commanding Officer, Captain Craig Wood, said, “An upgraded and more capable HMS Dragon has emerged from the upkeep period - the result of a tremendous amount of work from across the Portsmouth enterprise.  

"My sailors and I are rightfully proud of her return to the fleet and welcomed the opportunity to celebrate this fantastic occasion with Dragon’s sponsor, Mrs Boissier, our families and friends.“

The hour-long event was rounded off in traditional style when Mrs Boissier cut a special cake with a sword with the youngest member of the ship’s company - 18-year-old Able Seaman Nathan Levers.

Dragon will now undergo a series of intensive sea trials in UK waters to prepare for her third overseas deployment.