HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer, used Sea Viper during Red Sea operations to destroy multiple Houthi attack drones and later a Houthi missile threatening a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
Role detailsNaval Systems
Type 45 / Daring class
Also known as
- Type 45 destroyer
- Type 45 destroyers
- Daring class
- Daring-class destroyer
- HMS Daring class
The Type 45, or Daring class, is a six-ship Royal Navy air-defence destroyer class built by BAE Systems for fleet and carrier protection. Its Sea Viper system combines long-range sensing, command-and-control, Sylver launchers and Aster missiles, and HMS Diamond has used that capability against Houthi drones and missiles during Red Sea operations.
Role in Conflicts
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Built by
- BAE Systems
- Type
- Air-defence destroyer class
- Service note
- Commissioned between 2009 and 2013
- Number built
- 6
Specifications
- Displacement
- 7,350 tonnes
- Length
- 152 metres
- Speed
- 30 knots
- Range
- 7,000 nautical miles
- Crew
- Approximately 190
- Flight deck
- Helicopter deck and hangar for one Merlin helicopter
- Principal air-defence system
- Sea Viper / PAAMS with Sampson radar, Sylver launchers, and Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles
Variants
This record covers the six-ship Daring class. The listed variants are individual hulls in the same Royal Navy destroyer class rather than separate export or design variants.
- HMS Daring (D32)
- HMS Dauntless (D33)
- HMS Diamond (D34)
- HMS Dragon (D35)
- HMS Defender (D36)
- HMS Duncan (D37)
Principal Weapon System
Royal Navy describes Sea Viper as the principal weapon system of the Daring class.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Shipborne area air-defense missile system | Sea Viper provides the Daring class with its main anti-air and anti-missile combat capability; UK sources identify the PAAMS-based fit as Sampson radar, command and control, Sylver launchers, and Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles. Sources: Royal Navy Daring class, Royal Navy fires Sea Viper from Type 45 destroyer |
Air Defence Fit And Upgrade Path
The Type 45 is organized around Sea Viper, the Royal Navy's PAAMS-based ship air-defence system. Public UK releases identify the system as Sampson radar, command and control, Sylver launchers and Aster missiles, with later Sea Viper Evolution work adding ballistic-missile-defence changes to Aster 30, Sampson, command and control and the combat management system.
| Element | Documented role | Upgrade or service context |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Viper / PAAMS | Principal area air-defence system for Type 45 destroyers. | GOV.UK describes the system as able to engage multiple air threats and defend the Type 45 fleet and nearby ships. |
| Sampson radar | Multifunction radar tied to high-speed, low-level anti-ship missile detection and engagement. | Sea Viper Evolution includes modifications to Sampson, command and control, and the combat management system. |
| Aster missiles and Sylver launchers | Vertically launched Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles form the missile layer of the system. | The 2024 upgrade path begins with Aster 30 Block 1 work and evaluates Aster 30 Block 1NT for later ballistic-missile-defence capability. |
Timeline
Type 45 / Daring class Key Events
First Type 45 Sea Viper firing
HMS Dauntless fired an Aster 30 from the Sea Viper system at the MOD Hebrides range and hit a moving target drone during the system's first firing at sea from a Royal Navy warship.
Sources: Royal Navy fires Sea Viper from Type 45 destroyer
Sea Viper Evolution contracts announced
The UK announced GBP405 million in Sea Viper upgrade contracts for Type 45 warships after HMS Diamond used the system against Red Sea drones.
Sources: Navy Missile System used to destroy Red Sea drones to be upgraded
HMS Diamond missile intercept
Royal Navy reporting said HMS Diamond used Sea Viper to shoot down a Houthi missile targeting a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
Sources: HMS Diamond shoots down Houthi missile
Media
Type 45 / Daring class Videos
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Royal Navy Daring classPublisher: Royal Navy | Note: Supports the Daring class role, the six-ship overview, Sea Viper as the principal weapon system, and core dimensions and speed figures. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Type 45 destroyers - BAE SystemsPublisher: BAE Systems | Note: Supports manufacturer background, construction context, commissioning window, and key platform facts for the Type 45 destroyer class. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Royal Navy fires Sea Viper from Type 45 destroyerPublisher: GOV.UK | Note: Supports the 2010 HMS Dauntless Sea Viper firing, PAAMS/Sea Viper system composition, Aster 15 and Aster 30 missile fit, Sampson radar context, and Type 45 air-defence role. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Navy Missile System used to destroy Red Sea drones to be upgradedPublisher: UK Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis direct use: HMS Diamond used Sea Viper missiles to shoot down multiple attack drones during Operation Prosperity Guardian; also supports the Sea Viper Evolution upgrade path for Type 45 warships. | Accessed: 2026-06-29HMS Diamond shoots down Houthi missilePublisher: Royal Navy | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis direct use: HMS Diamond used Sea Viper to shoot down a Houthi missile targeting a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden. | Accessed: 2026-06-29HMS Diamond entering Portsmouth HarbourPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image page for HMS Diamond returning from Middle East service. | Accessed: 2026-06-29HMS Daring sea trials imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image page for HMS Daring, the first Type 45 destroyer, during sea trials. | Accessed: 2026-06-29HMS Dauntless and HMS DiamondPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image page for two Type 45 destroyers in Portsmouth. | Accessed: 2026-06-29HMS Diamond Fires Sea Viper Missiles for First TimePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image page for HMS Diamond firing Sea Viper missiles from a Type 45 destroyer. | Accessed: 2026-06-29