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Falklands ship to leave service Last Falklands ship bids farewell
(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 has been decommissioned.
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. After clocking up 892,811 nautical miles on operations around the world, HMS Exeter's 29-year career ended at a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base.
Falklands veterans and 10 of the ship's former commanding officers will be among more than 300 guests. Falklands veterans and 10 of the ship's former commanding officers were among the 325 guests who saw the ship off.
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 was 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. The ceremony, which had to be held indoors because of heavy wind and rain, featured a decommissioning cake being served.
Future unclear 'Marketed for disposal'
The Royal Navy said it was still unclear what would happen to the decommissioned vessel.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."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.""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. BBC News understands that the most likely outcome is that the ship 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, built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders on the River Tyne, was launched in 1978 and entered service in September 1980.
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 was 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.
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.
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.
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.