National Boat Shows have confirmed that for the first time in history a Royal Navy Destroyer will be displayed at the London Boat Show at ExCeL which runs from 11-20 January 2008.

The Type 42 vessel, stretching up to a maximum of 141m (462.5ft) in length with a beam of up to 15.2m (50ft), will be moored outside on the show’s spectacular marina in the Royal Victoria Dock.

Type 42 Destroyers form the backbone of the Royal Navy’s anti-air capability. They are equipped with the Sea Dart medium range air defence missile system, designed to provide area air defence to a group of ships whilst being effective against surface targets at sea. In addition to their role as an air defence platform, the Type 42 Destroyers operate independently carrying out patrol and boarding operations, recently enforcing UN embargoes in the Gulf and the Adriatic as well as providing humanitarian assistance in Montserrat and East Timor.

Since 2004, when the Show moved to ExCeL, the Royal Navy has worked with London Boat Show organiser, National Boat Shows to bring a number of frigates to the Show. The popularity of these show features is borne out year after year as around 25,000 visitors explore the ship throughout the 10 days of the Show.

Lieutenant Commander Steve MacNeil of Defence Public Relations at the Royal Navy said: “We are looking forward to working with National Boat Shows again. We are delighted to be bringing a warship to ExCeL in Docklands. The ship will be open for viewing to allow members of the public to meet the real Navy.”

For operational reasons, the name of the Destroyer cannot be disclosed at this time. More information will be released nearer the opening of the 54th London Boat Show which runs from.