Naval ship’s visit reinforces strong British relations with Saudi Arabia

One of the UK Royal Navy's most advanced warships, HMS Daring, is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to reinforce the country's strong relationship with Riaydh.
"The Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer is on her first operational deployment in the Gulf, where she is working with partner nations including Saudi Arabia to disrupt drug smuggling, trafficking and piracy in the region," said a statement released by the UK Defense Ministry yesterday.
The visit of HMS Daring is important due to simmering tensions in the Gulf region, the potential threat posed by Iran and the security situation in the extended neighborhood of the Gulf states. The warship's visit follows the visit of Prince Salman, defense minister, who was in the UK early April to hold talks with his British counterpart Philip Hammond. Prince Salman discussed with senior UK officials prospects of expanding bilateral cooperation in defense sector.
"The port visit to Jubail provided a good opportunity to host 200 selected guests and VIPs so HMS Daring could display her impressive capabilities as an air defense warship," said the statement. Helping to reinforce the good working relationship that exists between the UK and Saudi Arabia, both of which are committed to the fight against global terrorism, the visit also emphasized the strong military bond between the two countries.
The UK Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Simon Ancona, who was in the country for an official visit, also attended the event as the senior Royal Navy officer. Speaking on this occasion, Commanding Officer of HMS Daring Captain Guy Robinson, said: "It was a great privilege for me to take HMS Daring in Saudi Arabia for the first time. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to build on the strong relationship between the Kingdom and the UK."
"They make a very significant contribution to fighting terrorism in the region while being a trusted naval partner," said the commanding officer. “This visit to Saudi Arabia was a first for me and a large number of my ship's company and it was a welcome break in a busy period working with Combined Maritime Forces of the UK.”
The tried and tested mutual bonding over a sporting match also took place with Daring's rugby team beating local side Alkhobar Quins 36-5.
Around 30 senior Saudi naval personnel were also given tours of the ship as well as 50 local schoolchildren. In his remarks, Lieutenant Thomas Wyatt, who helped host the tours, said: "It was great to be able to show the Saudis our ship. It is always really useful to show our allies and partners in the Gulf our capabilities. However, it is always a pleasure to show a group of enthusiastic schoolchildren around as well."
Ships working as part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) are tasked with a range of activities including sea security, counter-piracy, and maintaining stability in the region. CMF are also ready to respond to any environmental or humanitarian crisis and are specifically committed to defeating violent extremists, thwarting piracy, reducing illegal trafficking of people and drugs, and promoting the maritime environment as a safe place for mariners with legitimate business.
Saudi Arabia and the UK have forged closer cooperation in several sectors including defense. The UK's Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton announced recently that the Royal Saudi Air Force’s Saudi Hawks’ will be making their Air Day debut at this year’s show on June 23. It will be the Kingdom's second ever display in the country. Equipped with six BAE Hawk Mk65s, this highly exotic international display team will begin a short UK goodwill tour at RNAS Yeovilton.
Their highly accomplished routine mixes formation loops and rolls with dynamic passes and, in the right weather conditions, includes a record-setting vertical palm tree split maneuver. As the Royal Saudi Air Force’s official aerobatic team, the Saudi Hawks are painted in the national colors of green and white and their figures are accented by thick smoke trails.