HMS Exeter to be Retired

Another heroic veteran of the Falklands War, the Batch 2, Type 42 Destroyer HMS Exeter is due to retire early.

HMS Exeter shot down 4 Argentinian aircraft during the war including 2 A4 Skyhawks, 1 Learjet Photo reconnaissance plane and a Canberra jet with her combat proven British Sea Dart Missile system.

During the Gulf war in 1991, HMS Exeter was on air defence guard duty, protecting US Battleships along with one of Exeters younger sisters, HMS Gloucester.

HMS Gloucester user her Sea Dart system to destroy an incoming Iraqi Silkworm Missile which was heading for the Battleship USS Missouri.

HMS Exeter was due to be retired in 2009 and now sits at extended readiness, but it appears likely that she will never sail again as a Royal Navy ship on active duty.

A new generation of stealthy warships are being built for the Royal Navy to replace these veterans. The first Type 45 Destroyer is currently undergoing sea trials after being launched last year in Scotland.

The Type 45 destroyer is currently considered to be the most advanced escort class warship in the world and boasts a blend of British and European technology including a suite of long range Surface to Air Missiles called "Aster".

Muzzerino.