British warship HMS Diamond back in Portsmouth after BREAKING DOWN in the Gulf
ONE of Britain’s most modern warships suffered the humiliation of limping back into port today after cutting short its tour of the Gulf due to technical problems.
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The £1billion destroyer HMS Diamond returned from Portsmouth to get its propulsion system fixed after it broke down in the Gulf.
This means that all six of the Type 45 destroyer fleet are currently berthed in Portsmouth.
The Royal Navy now only has 19 destroyers and frigates which means nearly one in three of its surface fighting force is in dock.
HMS Diamond was out in the Gulf working with Allied navies to keep shipping lanes open when problems with its propulsion struck.
The crew could not fix the problem at sea, forcing the ship to return home.
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This is the latest setback to the six-ship Daring class fleet of destroyers.
The other five are already in Portsmouth undergoing maintenance or training programmes.
The Type 45 destroyers, which started entering service eight years ago, have also suffered serious engine problems because they struggle to cope with warm water.
Each ship will now be fitted with new engines which will require holes to be cut into their hulls to open up access.
