31/01/2012

Destroyer Set For Falklands

A Navy Destroyer has been deployed off the coast of the Falklands Islands in the South Atlantic, it has been revealed.

HMS Dauntless is the first such vessel to set out for the disputed islands, that has caused a diplomatic dispute between Argentina and the UK Government in recent months.

The Ministry of Defence said it was a routine deployment and HMS Dauntless would replace a frigate currently stationed there and denied the deployment had anything to do with increased tensions over the Falklands Islands.

Meanwhile, the MOD has confirmed the development of a new Royal Navy missile defence system which will be able to intercept and destroy enemy missiles travelling at supersonic speeds.

The £483m contract to develop this cutting-edge air defence system - known as Sea Ceptor - is being awarded to UK industry.

The system uses a new UK-developed missile capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 3 and will have the ability to deal with multiple targets simultaneously, protecting an area of around 500 square miles over land or sea.

(DW/GK)

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