Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer arrives in Portsmouth

The Type 45 destroyer currently has a distinctive red dragon on its bow

The latest warship built for the Royal Navy has arrived in its home port of Portsmouth.

A ceremony marked the official handover of HMS Dragon from shipbuilders BAE Systems to the Ministry of Defence.

The Type 45 destroyer is the fourth ship of its kind built by BAE Systems in Glasgow.

The Royal Navy ship's full company is now on board the vessel which will undergo a further period of sea trials.

The vessel will be one of six of its type and will be equipped with Sea Viper anti-air missiles.

Each will be able to carry 60 troops and has a flight deck able to accommodate a Chinook helicopter.

It would also be able to carry up to 700 civilians in an emergency.

Commanding officer Darren Houston said: "Dragon is in top condition for the rigours of the next stage of her sea trials and the challenges ahead."

During the ceremony planned for the ship's arrival at Portsmouth, the BAE flag will be taken down and replaced with the White Ensign.

Three Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyers have already been commissioned: Daring, Dauntless and Diamond.

Work continues on the two remaining ships in the series, Defender and Duncan.