Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond is on course to make a scheduled visit to Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat as part of her six-month deployment to the Middle East.
The visit symbolises the Royal Navy’s continued cooperation with the Gulf States in the region. Members of the Royal Omani Navy have already visited Diamond while at sea and have been shown her advanced capabilities as an air defence destroyer.
The senior visiting officer at the time, Commander Ali Bin Musa Bin Suleman Al Baluchi said:
“It’s an honour to sail with HMS Diamond and learn from one of the most professional navies in the world. ”
Diamond has also been working with a number of other navies in the Combined Maritime Force, a partnership that fights threats like terrorism, piracy and smuggling which can threaten the security and economy of the region. Equipped with a Lynx helicopter and two 40 knot seaboats, Diamond can efficiently stop and search suspect vessels, making use of the trained Royal Marine boarding team she has embarked.
Amongst Britain’s partners in security are the United States Navy, with whom Diamond has recently been exercising in her core role – air defence. As one of the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyers, Diamond uses her sophisticated radars and deadly Sea Viper missile system to protect friendly ships in a task group from air attack. Recent time spent with the USS Eisenhower carrier strike group has allowed Diamond to demonstrate her capabilities in this fast-paced field of modern warfare.
Commander Ian Clarke, Diamond’s Commanding Officer , said:
“Diamond has been in theatre for five months now. During this time we have demonstrated the UK’s commitment to building and preserving safer seas for trade and communications and denying their use to those who would threaten security in the region”
During her time alongside in Oman, Diamond will host a number of guests and her Ship’s Company will also have the chance to enjoy a short break ashore before returning to sea once more. The visit comes as Diamond nears the end of her time in the region and prepares to hand over her role of promoting security in the Middle East to HMS Monmouth.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, November 16, 2012; Image: RN