The Royal Navy's newest destroyer has set sail for the South Atlantic on its maiden mission.
HMS Dauntless, one of the new breed of Type 45 destroyers, left Portsmouth this morning for a six-month deployment, cheered by forces families.
Her deployment has already been overshadowed by the diplomatic row between Britain and Argentina over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
Argentina has criticised the timing of her deployment, accusing the UK of militarising the area at a time when Argentina has effectively disarmed itself, with its navy a shadow of what it once was.
HMS Dauntless was commissioned into the fleet in 2010 and this will be her first operational deployment after completing an intensive period of sea trials and training.
She was "christened" at Portsmouth Naval Base in June 2010.
Commanding Officer Captain Will Warrender, said: "HMS Dauntless' ship's company has been working extremely hard over the last year or so to prepare for our first operational deployment. We are now ready to provide a reassuring presence in the region and protect British interests."
The ship will relieve HMS Montrose.
