Twenty-six international defence attaches have been shown the vital role that Portsmouth plays in supporting the Royal Navy worldwide.
The London-based officials visited Portsmouth Naval Base to see the part it plays in keeping surface ships available for operations.
The attaches were also told how the base is shaping up to accommodate the Navy’s two new huge aircraft carriers – HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The first is due to arrive in Portsmouth in 2016.
The visitors represented the armed forces of 18 nations including Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Chile, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Thailand, Ukraine and the USA.
After a tour of the Naval Base the guests visited one of the Navy’s newest warships – Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender.
On board they were shown the bridge, hangar, flight deck, ward room and the bays which house the ship’s sea boats.
They were also given a demonstration of the ship’s small arms weapons.
The ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Phil Nash said,
“It was a great privilege to host guests representing so many different countries and highlight HMS Defender‘s capabilities in the process.
“They were impressed with the capabilities of the Type 45 destroyer, in particular the number of roles the ship is capable of undertaking.”
[mappress] Press Release, November 26, 2013; Image: Navy