Fresh from a bilateral exercise with the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), UK Royal Navy's newest addition to the fleet, the Type-45 destroyer HMS Daring, is on a four-day visit to Port Sultan Qaboos for resupply and recuperation for its crew.
Arriving on Monday, the state of the art air-defence destroyer was deployed in the region earlier this year on its maiden full operational voyage. A busy schedule has seen her working with RNO on Exercise Khanjar Hadd, and three separate carrier battle groups from the US Navy and Australian, Pakistani and Yemeni forces on exercise Scimitar Anzac in the Gulf of Aden.
HMS Daring has also conducted anti-piracy patrols and security operations as part of the 25-nation Combined Maritime Force (CMF) based in Bahrain.
Speaking to Muscat Daily on Tuesday, Captain Guy Robinson, commanding officer of HMS Daring, said the deployment of one of the most advanced vessels in the Royal Navy to the region was an ideal time to put her through the paces. "We have worked with many navies and learned a lot about the destroyer. We are primarily an air-defence destroyer to protect other vessels from incoming missiles or aircraft," said Captain Robinson.
"It is good to be here and contribute to close links UK has with Oman. Visitors are excited about coming on board and get a sense of the technology. It is fabulous to be berthed close to the city and in the centre of the harbour."
Members of the crew also took the opportunity to explore the country, and stretch their legs after weeks at sea with a couple of games of golf at Muscat Hills and a much anticipated football match against a local team on Tuesday evening.
HMS Daring is due to arrive in her home port of Portsmouth in August, around half way through the London Olympic games.
© Muscat Daily 2012
