HMS Defender Impresses Japanese Sailors

The Royal Navy’s newest commissioned warship played host to 36 Japanese sailors who have stopped off in Portsmouth during a round-the-world deployment.

Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender opened her gangway to newly-commissioned officers from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force who enjoyed a tour of the ship at the city’s Naval Base.

Most of the sailors are serving on board JDS Kashima – one of three Japanese warships visiting Portsmouth for a four-day visit.

Lieutenant Kristoffer Esbensen, HMS Defender’s Deputy Logistics Officer, said:

“It was a great privilege to host the cadets and further strengthen the strong link between our two nations, which stretches back hundreds of years.

“The cadets were very interested in the impressive capability of HMS Defender and we were delighted to be able to give them this insight.”

JDS Kashima arrived in Portsmouth Monday with escort ships JDS Isoyuki and JDS Shirayuki.

During their stay 180 cadets will visit Royal Navy training establishments HMS Collingwood at Fareham and HMS Sultan, Gosport.

History lessons are also on their timetable, with visits to the RN Museum and Naval Historical Branch.

[mappress]
Press Release, July 25, 2013; Image: Royal Navy