HMS Manchester (D95)

HMS Manchester (D95) was a Type 42 Batch 3 destroyer of the British Royal Navy. She was commissioned in 1982 and decommissioned in 2011. One of the longest-serving Type 42 destroyers, HMS Manchester saw active service in various deployments around the world.

A key element of her design was the Sea Dart surface-to-air missile system, intended for fleet air defence. She also carried anti-submarine torpedoes and a 4.5-inch (114 mm) Mark 8 naval gun. In later years, she received upgrades to improve her capabilities, including improvements to her radar and communications systems.

Throughout her career, HMS Manchester participated in numerous exercises and operations, including deployments to the Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic. She played a role in maintaining maritime security and providing a presence in key strategic regions.

Following her decommissioning, HMS Manchester was stripped of usable equipment before being sold for scrap. Her long service reflects the contributions of the Type 42 destroyers to the Royal Navy's capabilities over several decades.