Defence Minister Cuts First Steel for Sixth Type 45 Destroyer, Duncan

BAE Systems, GLASGOW, UK: BAE Systems today welcomed The Rt. Hon. Baroness Taylor to Glasgow as she cut the first piece of steel for the sixth Type 45 Destroyer, Duncan, during her first visit to the Govan and Scotstoun yards since taking up the post of Minister for Defence Equipment and Support. 
 
During her visit, the Baroness toured both BAE Systems’ facilities and met a number of apprentices and graduates who are currently training to become the warship builders of the future. The Minister also went aboard the first Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Daring, which is due to be handed over to the Royal Navy later this year following further extensive sea trials. 
 
Speaking after The Rt. Hon. Baroness Taylor’s visit, managing director of BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions, Vic Emery OBE said; “This is a very proud day for the workforce on the Clyde, who throughout the build and integration process of the Type 45 programme have proven themselves to be the most highly skilled in the industry. 
 
“It is important that the Minister has the opportunity to see for herself the exceptional quality and design we produce here on the Clyde and the capability that these ships will bring to the Royal Navy once the fleet starts to enter service in 2009. 
 
“I am delighted that the Baroness has taken this opportunity to have a personal involvement with the Type 45 Destroyer programme and I look forward to working very closely with her on this and other projects in the future.” 
 
Scott Ballingall, second year apprentice from Erskine who met the Baroness during her visit said; “I am really pleased that Baroness Taylor took the time to visit the yards today. Cutting steel on any ship is a really big event on the Clyde, so I’m very proud to have been part of the ceremony today.” 
 
The Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyers are the most advanced ships of their type in the world to date and will provide the backbone of the Royal Navy’s air defences for much of the first half of the 21st century. Three of the fleet of six ships have already been launched, the most recent of which, HMS Diamond, was watched by thousands of members of the public as she entered the Clyde for the first time from the berth in Govan in November 2007. The first of class, HMS Daring, is set to perform her second set of sea trials in April this year following a hugely successful first trial in the summer of 2007.  
 
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$ $31.4 billion) in 2007.