HMS Diamond, the latest in a series of destroyers hailed as the most advanced in the world, was launched recently. The Type 45 destroyer features the latest propulsion, anti-aircraft weaponry and stealth technology. Her radar can track a cricket ball moving three times the speed of sound, and has a range of hundreds of miles.

The 500ft vessel can also make herself appear as small as a fishing boat to enemy radar, and is armed with missiles. The £600million ship is the third in a series of six Type 45 destroyers being built for the Royal Navy. HMS Daring was the first to be launched, in February 2006, and hms dauntless followed in January 2007. The six ships are costing the Navy a total of £6billion and boast features, such as e-mail and iPod charging points, to make long stints on board more bearable. They are the first Royal Navy vessels to have living spaces for both male and female crew members. The fleet and two new super-sized aircraft carriers will form the future backbone of the Royal Navy.