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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Falklands ship to leave service | Falklands ship to leave service |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The last remaining operational warship that took part in the Falklands conflict is to be decommissioned later. | The last remaining operational warship that took part in the Falklands conflict is to be decommissioned later. |
| HMS Exeter's 29-year career will end at a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base after clocking up 892,811 nautical miles on operations around the world. | HMS Exeter's 29-year career will end at a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base after clocking up 892,811 nautical miles on operations around the world. |
| Falklands veterans and 10 of the ship's former commanding officers will be among more than 300 guests. | |
| During the ceremony, the Type 42 destroyer's white ensign will be lowered for the last time. | During the ceremony, the Type 42 destroyer's white ensign will be lowered for the last time. |
| A traditional decommissioning cake will be cut and representatives of the ship's affiliate organisations, including Exeter City Council, will also be present. | A traditional decommissioning cake will be cut and representatives of the ship's affiliate organisations, including Exeter City Council, will also be present. |
| Future unclear | |
| The Royal Navy said it was still unclear what would happen to the decommissioned vessel. | |
| "All her moveable equipment will be taken off for use on other ships," a spokesperson said. | |
| "She will then be marketed for disposal to see if anyone is interested in buying her." | |
| BBC News understands that the most likely outcome is that she may be sold to a "recycling facility" and broken up. | |
| The Portsmouth-based ship was launched in 1978 and entered service in September 1980 after being built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders on the River Tyne. | The Portsmouth-based ship was launched in 1978 and entered service in September 1980 after being built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders on the River Tyne. |
| During the Falklands conflict, it destroyed four Argentine aircraft - two Skyhawks and two reconnaissance planes. | During the Falklands conflict, it destroyed four Argentine aircraft - two Skyhawks and two reconnaissance planes. |
| Sunken vessel | |
| The vessel had been sent to the region from the Caribbean to replace HMS Sheffield, the first major British vessel to be sunk during the conflict. | The vessel had been sent to the region from the Caribbean to replace HMS Sheffield, the first major British vessel to be sunk during the conflict. |
| It also saw service in the Gulf War of 1991 and in 2005 took part in the International Fleet Review to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. | It also saw service in the Gulf War of 1991 and in 2005 took part in the International Fleet Review to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. |
| Ageing Type 42 destroyers, like HMS Exeter, are being replaced by the Navy with Type 45 Daring class warships. | Ageing Type 42 destroyers, like HMS Exeter, are being replaced by the Navy with Type 45 Daring class warships. |
| The first of the class, HMS Daring, arrived in Portsmouth in January and the second, HMS Dauntless, is due to arrive next year. | The first of the class, HMS Daring, arrived in Portsmouth in January and the second, HMS Dauntless, is due to arrive next year. |
| Most of HMS Exeter's company have already been transferred to other posts, including to HMS Daring and HMS Dauntless. | Most of HMS Exeter's company have already been transferred to other posts, including to HMS Daring and HMS Dauntless. |