The brightest jewel in the Royal Navy’s crown is gearing up for a return to life on the high seas following a multi-million pound upgrade.
The crew of HMS Diamond is back on board the Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer which has undergone extensive maintenance and improvements since it returned from operations last July.
The vessel, which is affiliated to Aberdeen, has had a potent Harpoon missile system installed and upgrades to communications and IT equipment.
The 8,000-tonne ship also has a new gas turbine and stabilisers plus upgraded high-pressure salt water and air systems.
HMS Diamond commanding officer, Commander Marcus Hember, said: “The day the ship’s company move back on board is a big day for us.
“It marks the point at which we can take back full ownership of our ship and begin the process of regeneration.
“Whilst it is a long process, we are all, ultimately, working towards our deployment in 2016, getting back out on operations and doing what the Royal Navy does best.”
The new systems and equipment will now be fully tested during several months of trials at sea and alongside in Portsmouth.
HMS Diamond is one of six Type 45 destroyers – the most advanced warships the nation has ever produced.
Their mission is to shield the fleet from air attack but also to hunt pirates, drug runners and submarines, and provide humanitarian aid after natural disasters.
Every new Royal Navy ship is affiliated with two UK cities – one coastal and one land-locked – and in HMS Diamond’s case, Aberdeen and Coventry.
In February 2011, HMS Diamond made her first official visit to her adopted city, giving the public a chance to look around.
Six months later she was declared operational and completed rigorous training before her first deployment to the Middle East for six months.
In 2012, she played a pivotal role in the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations, kicking the festivities off with a 21-gun salute across Portsmouth Harbour.
In January 2014, she was deployed for the second time, originally bound for the Persian Gulf but re-tasked en route to help transport chemical weapons out of Syria.
Her motto also befits her name: honor clarrissima gemma – honour is the brightest jewel.