View source for Type 42 destroyer

{{Short description|British guided missile destroyer class}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = [[File:HMS Birmingham D86.jpg|300px|HMS Birmingham (D86)]]
| Ship caption = HMS ''Birmingham''
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = Type 42
| Builders = Vickers, Cammell-Laird, Swan Hunter, Vosper Thorneycroft, CFNE Argentina
| Operators = * {{navy|UK}} (1975–2013)
* {{navy|Argentina}} (1976–2024)
| Class before = * [[Type 82 destroyer|Type 82]] (UK)
* [[USS Perkins (DD-877)|''Py'' class]] (Argentina)
| Class after = * [[Type 45 destroyer|Type 45]] (UK)
* {{sclass|Almirante Brown|destroyer|4}} (Argentina)
| Subclasses = Batches 1, 2 and 3
| Cost = 
| Built range = 
| In service range = 1975–2013
| In commission range = 
| Total ships completed = 16
| Total ships active = 
| Total ships lost = * UK: 2 ([[Falklands War]])
| Total ships retired = 14
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship type = [[Guided-missile destroyer]]
| Ship tonnage = 
| Ship displacement = * ''Batch 1 & 2:''
** {{convert|3500|LT|tonne|abbr=on}} standard,<ref name=Janes9293>Sharpe, Richard, ''Jane's Fighting Ships 1992–93'', pub Janes Information Group, 1992, {{ISBN|0-7106-0983-3}}, pp. 696–7</ref>
** {{convert|4100|LT|tonne|abbr=on}}<ref name=Janes9293/> or 4,350&nbsp;tons<ref name=Heyman99-00>Heyman, Charles ''The Armed Forces of the United Kingdom 1999–2000'', pub Pen and Sword, 1998, {{ISBN|978-0-85052-621-9}}, pp. 40–41</ref> full load
* ''Batch 3:''
** {{convert|3500|LT|tonne|abbr=on}} standard,<ref name=Janes9293/>
** {{convert|4775|LT|tonne|abbr=on}}<ref name=Janes9293/> or 5,350&nbsp;tons<ref name=Heyman99-00/> full load
| Ship length = * ''Batch 1 & 2:''
** {{convert|119.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} waterline,<ref name=Janes9293/>
** {{convert|125|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Janes9293/> or {{convert|125.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Heyman99-00/> overall
* ''Batch 3:''
** {{convert|132.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} waterline,<ref name=Janes9293/>
** {{convert|141.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Janes9293/><ref name=Heyman99-00/> overall
| Ship beam = * ''Batch 1 & 2:'' {{convert|14.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Janes9293/><ref name=Heyman99-00/>
* ''Batch 3:'' {{convert|14.9|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Janes9293/><ref name=Heyman99-00/>
| Ship draught = * ''Batch 1, 2 & 3:''
** {{convert|4.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} keel,<ref name=Janes9293/>
** {{convert|5.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} propellers<ref name=Janes9293/><ref name=Heyman99-00/>
| Ship decks = 8
| Ship power = {{convert|50000|shp|MW|abbr=on|lk=in}}
| Ship propulsion = * 2 shafts [[COGOG]];
* 2 × [[Rolls-Royce Marine Olympus|Rolls-Royce Olympus]] TM3B high-speed gas turbines, ({{convert|50000|shp|MW|abbr=on}})
* 2 × [[Rolls-Royce Tyne]] RM1C cruise gas turbines, ({{convert|5340|shp|MW|abbr=on}})
| Ship speed = * {{convert|30|kn|lk=in|abbr=on}} (2 × Olympus)
* {{convert|24|kn|abbr=on}} (1 × Olympus and 1 × Tyne per shaft)
* {{convert|20|kn|abbr=on}} (1 × Olympus)
* {{convert|18|kn|abbr=on}} (2 × Tyne)
* {{convert|13.8|kn|abbr=on}} (1 × Tyne)
| Ship range = {{convert|4200|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} single Tyne RM1C/other shaft trailing at {{convert|13.8|kn|abbr=on}}
| Ship boats = 
| Ship complement = * ''Batch 1 & 2:'' 253 (incl. 24 officers)<ref name=Janes9293/> or 274, accommodation for 312<ref name=Janes9293/>
* ''Batch 3:'' 269 (2013);<ref name=yearbook2013>{{cite book | title=A Global Force 2012/13 | url=http://www.newsdeskmedia.com/files/Global-Force-2013.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921091729/http://www.newsdeskmedia.com/files/Global-Force-2013.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=21 September 2018 | author=Royal Navy | publisher=Newsdesk Media | isbn=978-1-906940-75-1 | date=11 July 2013 }} Complement as of 24 April 2013</ref> 301 (incl. 26 officers)<ref name=Janes9293/>(1993)
| Ship sensors = * Radar [[Type 1022 radar|Type 1022]]/[[Type 965 radar|965P]] air surveillance,
* Radar Type 996/992Q 3-D surveillance,
* 2 × radar Type 909 GWS-30 fire-control,
* Radar Type 1007 & 1008 navigation,
* IFF 1016/1017,
* Sonar Type 2050 / [[Sonar 2016|2016]] search,
* Sonar Type 162 bottom profiling,
| Ship EW = * UAA2/UAF
* DLH decoy system
| Ship armament = *1 × twin launcher for GWS-30 [[Sea Dart missile]]s (22 missiles, space for an additional 15 in Batch 3)
*1 × [[4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun]]
*2 × 20&nbsp;mm [[Phalanx CIWS]] (after 1982, not on Argentine ships)
*2 × Oerlikon / BMARC 20&nbsp;mm cannon in GAM-B01 single mounts
*4 × MM38 [[Exocet]] anti-ship missile launchers (only on Argentine ships)
*2 × STWS II triple anti-submarine torpedo tubes (not on Argentine ships)
| Ship armour = 
| Ship aircraft = * 1 × [[Westland Lynx]] HAS / HMA armed with
** 4 × anti-ship missiles
** 2 × anti-submarine torpedoes
| Ship aircraft facilities = [[Flight deck]] and enclosed [[hangar]] for embarking one helicopter
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}
The '''Type 42''' or '''''Sheffield'' class''' was developed to provide the Royal Navy with a cost-effective, medium-sized guided-missile destroyer focused on fleet air defence. Conceived in the late 1960s after the cancellation of the more complex and expensive [[Type 82 destroyer|Type 82]], the Type 42 was intended to protect naval task groups against airborne threats using the Sea Dart missile system.<ref name=Marriott_1945_RN_DestroyerBook>Marriott, Leo. ''Royal Navy Destroyers since 1945''. Ian Allan Ltd, 1989. {{ISBN|0-7110-1817-0}}</ref>

While the smaller design allowed for more ships to be built within budget constraints, it imposed compromises in endurance, sea-keeping, and space for future weapons or sensor upgrades.<ref name="Friedman2012">Friedman, Norman. ''British Destroyers & Frigates: The Second World War and After''. Seaforth Publishing, 2012. ISBN 978-1848320299.</ref> Over its 38 years of service, the class underwent three production batches that addressed some of the class's limitations by lengthening the hull, improving radar and missile systems, and adding [[Close-in weapon system|close-in weapon systems]].<ref name=Marriott_1945_RN_DestroyerBook/>

Two vessels, {{HMS|Sheffield|D80}} and {{HMS|Coventry|D118}}, were lost in the 1982 [[Falklands War]], prompting further modifications including enhanced damage control measures, updated electronic warfare suites and changes to material used in the ships' furnishings.<ref name=Friedman2012/> The class served as the backbone of Royal Navy air defence and demonstrated a trade-off between affordability and capability reflecting broader Royal Navy strategic priorities during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods, concluding in 2013 when they were replaced by the more capable [[Type 45 destroyer]].<ref name=Marriott_1945_RN_DestroyerBook/>

In addition to British service, two Type 42s were built for the [[Argentine Navy]]. These two ships saw limited service, few upgrades and were eventually retired.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/argentina/type42.htm |title=Argentine Navy Type 42 Destroyers |website=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>

==History==

Following the cancellation of the Type 82 air-defence destroyers and the proposed [[CVA-01]] aircraft carrier by the [[Labour government, 1964–1970|Labour Government in 1966]], the Type 42 was conceived as a lighter, cheaper alternative with similar capabilities. The class was fitted with the GWS30 [[Sea Dart]] [[surface-to-air missile]], first deployed on the sole Type 82 destroyer, {{HMS|Bristol|D23}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navylookout.com/sea-dart-naval-surface-to-air-missile-system/ |title=Sea Dart naval surface-to-air missile system |website=Navy Lookout |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref> The ships also had a [[flight deck]] and hangar to operate an [[anti-submarine warfare]] helicopter, increasing their versatility compared to the Type 82, which had a flight deck but no hangar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1974/june/royal-navy-destroyers-1970s |title=Royal Navy Destroyers of the 1970s |website=USNI Proceedings |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>

Designed in the late 1960s to provide fleet air defence, fourteen vessels were constructed in three distinct batches. In addition to the Royal Navy ships, two were built to a Batch 1 specifications for the [[Navy of the Argentine Republic|Argentine Navy]]. ARA {{ship|ARA|Hércules|B-52}} was built in the [[Vickers Shipbuilding]] yard in [[Barrow-in-Furness]], [[United Kingdom]], and delivered August 1976. ARA {{ship|ARA|Santísima Trinidad|1974}} was built at the AFNE [[Río Santiago Shipyard]] in [[Buenos Aires]] and commissioned in July 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Argentine-Navy/Destroyer/MEKO-360-42-Hercules.htm |title=MEKO 360 Type 42 Hércules-class destroyers |website=SeaForces.org |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>

The class was budgeted at £19 million per hull but exceeded that limit and the original design proposal was £21 million. To cut costs, the first two batches had 47 feet removed from the bow forward of the bridge, reducing the [[Beam (nautical)#Typical values|beam-to-length ratio]]. These early Batch 1 ships performed poorly during sea trials in heavy weather, prompting a review.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Royal-Navy/Destroyer/Type-42-DDG.htm |title=Type 42 destroyers |website=SeaForces.org |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref> Batch 2 ships, beginning with {{HMS|Exeter|D89}}, incorporated improved sensors and minor layout changes. The ninth hull, {{HMS|Manchester|D95}}, was lengthened during construction, resulting in better seakeeping, and follow-on ships were built to this standard. Strengthening girders were added to the weather decks of Batch 1 and 2 ships, while Batch 3 vessels were built with an external [[strake]] to counter longitudinal cracking.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://naval-encyclopedia.com/cold-war/uk/type-42-sheffield-class-destroyers/ |title=Type 42 Sheffield-class destroyers |website=Naval Encyclopedia |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>

{{HMS|Sheffield|D80}} and {{HMS|Coventry|D118}} were both sunk in the [[Falklands War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.naval-history.net/F62-Falklands-British_ships_lost.htm |title=British Ships lost or Damaged 1 – 12 June 1982 |website=Naval-History.net |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref> This was the first conflict since [[World War II]] in which surface warships of the same design served on opposing sides. Although there was no direct contact between the ships, both ''Santísima Trinidad'' and ''Hércules'' locked on to [[Sea Harrier]], XZ451 piloted by Flt Lt Mortimer, with their Type 909 fire-control radars on the 1 May 1982, Mortimer retreated.<ref name=hista>{{cite web |url=http://www.histarmar.com.ar/Armada%20Argentina/ArmadaHoy/STrinidad.htm#prof |work=histamar.com.ar |title=Destructor A.R.A. "Santisima Trinidad" |access-date=20 June 2015 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Ethell |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Price |first2=Alfred |title=Air War South Atlantic |publisher=Sidgwick & Jackson |date=1983 |pages=71, 75 |isbn=0-283-99035-X}}</ref>

The final ship of the class, {{HMS|Edinburgh|D97}}, was decommissioned on 6 June 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/type-42-destroyer-hms-edinburgh-decommissioned |title=Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh decommissioned |website=GOV.UK |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref> ''Hércules'' remained in service in a transport and amphibious role and was declared non-operational in 2020 and formally decommissioned in 2024, while ''Santísima Trinidad'' sank at her birth at the [[Port Belgrano Naval Base]] in January 2013, she was in poor condition before sinking, having been cannibalised to keep ''Hércules'' operational.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2013/01/22/argentine-destroyer-santissima-trinidad-sinks-alongside-naval-base |title=Argentine destroyer Santísima Trinidad sinks alongside naval base |website=MercoPress |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>

==Design==
The first batch was fitted with the [[Type 965 radar|Type 965]] or Type 966 surveillance radar, both of which had a slow data rate.<ref name=PrestonFalklands112/> The Type 992Q radar, used for target designation for the gun and missile systems, lacked Moving Target Indication (MTI). Although British radar manufacturers offered to retrofit MTI, the modification was never carried out.<ref name=PrestonFalklands112/> Without MTI, the Type 992Q experienced difficulty in tracking aircraft when they were in front of land, or during snow or rain showers.<ref name=PrestonFalklands112/> In addition, the class had insufficient space for an efficient operations room.<ref name=PrestonFalklands112>A Preston. ''Sea Combat off the Falklands''. Willow Collins. London, 1982, pp. 112–113.</ref>  

The class was armed with a single [[4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun]], and earlier vessels carried six Ships Torpedo Weapon System (STWS) [[torpedo]] launchers.   The Argentine ''Santísima Trinidad'' was equipped with the MM38 Exocet for a broader anti-ship capability. The [[boat deck]]s of the original design were replaced by special decks to install the missiles around the funnel.  While this modification applied to both ARA ships, the launchers were never mounted on ''Santísima Trinidad''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Tecnología militar |volume=26 |publisher=Grupo Editorial Mönch |date=2004 |pages=103 |language=es}}</ref>    

There were three production batches. Batch 1 and Batch 2 ships displaced 4,820 tonnes, while Batch 3 (sometimes referred to as the ''Manchester'' class) displaced 5,200 tonnes. The Batch 3 ships were heavily upgraded, incorporating lessons from the Falklands War, although the [[Sea Wolf (missile)|Sea Wolf]] missile system was never fitted.  Two [[Phalanx CIWS|Phalanx]] [[close-in weapon system|close-in weapon systems]] were mounted amidships to all surviving batches.<ref>https://www.navylookout.com/reflecting-on-the-life-and-times-of-the-type-42-destroyers Navy Lookout 0 Reflecting on the life and times of the Type 42 destroyers</ref> 

The electronics suite comprised either a Type 1022 [[D band (NATO)|D band]] long-range radar with Outfit LFB track extractor, or a [[Type 965 radar|Type 965P]] long-range air surveillance radar; one Type 996 [[E band (NATO)|E band]]/[[F band (NATO)|F band]] [[3D radar]] for target indication with Outfit LFA track extractor, or a Type 992Q surface-search radar; two Type 909 I/J-band [[fire-control radar]]s; and an Outfit LFD radar track combiner.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} 

All ships were powered by [[Rolls-Royce Olympus|Rolls-Royce TM3B Olympus]] and [[Rolls-Royce Tyne|Rolls-Royce RM1C Tyne]] marinised gas turbines, in a COGOG (combined gas or gas) arrangement, driving through synchronous self-shifting clutches into a double-reduction, dual-tandem, articulated, locked-train gear system, and then to two five-bladed [[controllable pitch propellers]]. Electrical power was supplied by four [[Paxman Ventura]] 16YJCAZ [[diesel generator]]s, each producing 1&nbsp;MW of [[three-phase electric power]] at 440&nbsp;V, 60&nbsp;Hz.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

The lead ship, {{HMS|Sheffield|D80}}, was initially fitted with exhaust deflectors on her funnel tops to direct high-temperature exhaust gases sideways, reducing heat damage to overhead aerials. This created a prominent target for [[infrared homing]] missiles, so only ''Sheffield'' and the two Argentine ships, {{ARA|Hércules|D-1}} and {{ARA|Santísima Trinidad|D-2}}, retained this feature. Subsequent ships were built with 'cheese grater' uptakes, which mixed machinery space ventilation air with the exhaust gases to reduce [[infrared signature]]s.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

;Availability  
In February 1998, the Minister of State for Defence, [[John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan|Dr John Reid]], stated: "Type 42 destroyers achieved approximately 84 to 86 per cent average availability for operational service in each of the last five years. This discounts time spent in planned maintenance."<ref>[http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo980205/text/80205w11.htm Hansard, 5 February 1998: Column 762] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605031530/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo980205/text/80205w11.htm |date=5 June 2011}} Answer by Secretary of State for Defence, Dr John Reid, 5 February 1998.</ref>

== Operational history and service ==

The Type 42 class was designed to counter long-range strategic bombers from the former Soviet Long-Range Aviation and [[Soviet Naval Aviation|Soviet Naval Aviation (AV-MF)]], and to provide area defence for a [[carrier battle group]]. 

;1982 Falklands War
Five ships took part in the Falklands War: ''Sheffield'', ''Coventry'', ''Glasgow'', ''Exeter'' and ''Cardiff''.<ref name="Type42GS">{{cite web |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/ddg-42.htm |title=Type 42 Guided Missile Destroyer |website=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref> providing long-range air defence and achieving seven confirmed "kills". Coventry was credited with three aircraft: a [[Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma|Puma SA.330L]] and two [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4 Skyhawks]].<ref name="FalklandsKills">{{cite web |url=https://www.naval-history.net/F64-Falklands-Argentine_aircraft_lost.htm |title=Argentine aircraft lost 3 April – 15 June 1982 |website=Naval-History.net |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref> Exeter shot down four aircraft: two A-4 Skyhawks, a [[Learjet 35|Learjet 35A]] and a [[English Electric Canberra|Canberra bomber]].<ref name="FalklandsKills"/> ''Cardiff'' was involved in a [[friendly fire]] incident resulting in the [[1982 British Army Gazelle friendly fire incident|loss of a British Gazelle helicopter]].<ref name="FalklandsKills"/>

''Sheffield'' was hit by an [[Exocet]] [[air-to-surface missile]] launched by an Argentine [[Super Étendard]] on 4 May 1982 and sank six days later; ''Coventry'' was sunk by 3, 250 kg [[unguided bombs]] on the 25 May 1982, with two detonating.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hart Dyke |first=David |date=2007 |title=Four Weeks in May: A Captain's Story of War at Sea |location=London |publisher=Atlantic Books |pages=63–64 |isbn=9781843545910 }}</ref> and ''Glasgow'' was disabled by a bomb that passed through her aft engine room without exploding, damaging fuel systems and disabling the [[Rolls-Royce Tyne#Ships|cruising engines]]. These losses led to a reassessment to subsequent vessels.<ref name="FalklandsKills"/>

;1991 Gulf War
On February 25, 1991 during [[Operation Desert Storm]], ''Gloucester'' shot down an Iraqi [[Silkworm (missile)|Silkworm missile]] targeting [[USS Missouri (BB-63)|USS ''Missouri'']].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2019/07/21/missile-attack-on-battleship-uss-missouri/|title=missile attack on battleship USS Missouri|date=21 July 2019}}</ref>

;Task group deployments
Type 42s performed fleet contingency duties, including West Indies counter-drug operations, Falkland Islands patrols, NATO Mediterranean and Atlantic task group deployments, and Persian Gulf patrols. The increased deployment of Type 23 frigates in place of Type 42s to high-intensity operational areas reflected persistent serviceability and reliability problems, alongside growing obsolescence of their combat and machinery systems.<ref name="NavalTech">{{cite web |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/type-42-destroyer/ |title=Type 42 destroyer, United Kingdom |website=Naval-Technology.com |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>

==Construction programme==

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
|-valign=top
! [[Pennant number|Pennant]]
! Name
! Hull builder<ref name=MCS3p26>Marriott, Leo ''Modern Combat Ships 3, Type 42'', pub Ian Allan, 1985, {{ISBN|0-7110-1453-1}}-page 28.</ref>
! Ordered<ref name=MCS3p26/>
! Laid down<ref name=MCS3p26/>
! Launched<ref name=MCS3p26/>
! Accepted into service<ref name=MCS3p26/><ref name=Hansard23Oct89pt1>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 Hansard: HC Deb 23 October 1989 vol 158 cc357-8W 357W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704005508/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 |date=4 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding warship costs, 23 October 1989.  This section is the first part of the table that is continued on [https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1989/oct/23/navy-vessels Hansard: HC Deb 23 October 1989 vol 158 c360W ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704005658/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1989/oct/23/navy-vessels |date=4 July 2009 }}.</ref><ref group=Note>The term used in ''Navy Estimates'' and ''Defence Estimates'' is "accepted into service".  ''Hansard'' has used the term ''acceptance date''.  Leo Marriott in his various books uses the term "completed", as does ''Jane's Fighting Ships''.  These terms all mean the same thing: the date the Navy accepts the vessel from the builder.  This date is important because maintenance cycles, etc. are generally calculated from the acceptance date.</ref>
! Commissioned
! Estimated building cost<ref group=Note>"Unit cost, i.e. excluding the cost of certain items (e.g. aircraft, First Outfits)." – Text from ''Defences Estimates''<br/>"They do not include other costs, such as those for Government Furnished Equipment (GFE)—as they are not held centrally for each ship and could be provided only at disproportionate cost." [[Bob Ainsworth]], [[Minister of State for the Armed Forces]], 16 July 2008.</ref>
|-
! colspan=9 | Royal Navy – batch 1
|-valign=top
|  | D80
|  | {{HMS|Sheffield|D80|2}}
|  | [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering|Vickers Shipbuilders Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness]].
|  | 14 November 1968
|  | 15 January 1970
|  | 10 June 1971
|  | 16 February 1975
|  | 16 February 1975<ref name=Comm>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080716/text/80716w0011.htm 16 July 2008 : Column 452W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728160850/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080716/text/80716w0011.htm |date=28 July 2018 }} Questions to Secretary of the State for Defence, 16 July 2008.<br/>Marriott, Leo ''Modern Combat Ships 3, Type 42'', pub Ian Allan, 1985, {{ISBN|0-7110-1453-1}}-page 28.</ref><ref group=Note>These two sources are in agreement about the dates vessels were commissioned, with the following exceptions:
*''Sheffield'':  Marriott 28 February 1975.  Hansard 16 February 1975.
*''Glasgow'': Marriott 25 May 1979.  Hansard 24 May 1979.
*''Cardiff'': Marriott 19 October 1979. Hansard 24 September 1979.
*''Nottingham'': Marriott 8 April 1983. Hansard 14 April 1983.
*''Liverpool'': Marriott 9 July 1982. Hansard 1 July 1982.</ref>
|  | £23,200,000<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 Hansard: HC Deb 23 October 1989 vol 158 cc357-8W 357W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704005508/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 |date=4 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding warship costs, 23 October 1989.<br/>Marriott, Leo ''Modern Combat Ships 3, Type 42'', pub Ian Allan, 1985, {{ISBN|0-7110-1453-1}}-page 15.<br/>Moore, John ''Jane's Fighting Ships, 1982–83'', pub Jane's Publishing Co Ltd, 1982, {{ISBN|0-7106-0742-3}}-page 553.</ref>
|-valign=top
|  | D86
|  | {{HMS|Birmingham|D86|2}}
|  | [[Cammell Laird|Cammell Laird & Co, Birkenhead]].
|  | 21 May 1971
|  | 28 March 1972
|  | 30 July 1973
|  | 26 November 1976<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 Hansard: HC Deb 23 October 1989 vol 158 cc357-8W 357W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704005508/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 |date=4 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding warship costs, 23 October 1989 says 26 November 1976.<br/>Marriott, Leo ''Modern Combat Ships 3, Type 42'', pub Ian Allan, 1985, {{ISBN|0-7110-1453-1}}-page 28 says October 1976.</ref>
|  | 3 December 1976<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £31,000,000<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 Hansard: HC Deb 23 October 1989 vol 158 cc357-8W 357W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704005508/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 |date=4 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding warship costs, 23 October 1989 says £31.0 million.<br/>Moore, John ''Jane's Fighting Ships, 1982–83'', pub Jane's Publishing Co Ltd, 1982, {{ISBN|0-7106-0742-3}}-page 553 says £30.9 million.</ref>
|-valign=top
|  | D87
|  | {{HMS|Newcastle|D87|2}}
|  | [[Swan Hunter|Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend-on-Tyne]].
|  | 11 November 1971
|  | 21 February 1973
|  | 24 April 1975
|  | 25 February 1978
|  | 23 March 1978<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £34,600,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89pt1/>
|-valign=top
|  | D118
|  | {{HMS|Coventry|D118|2}}
|  | Cammell Laird & Co, Birkenhead.
|  | 21 May 1971
|  | 29 January 1973
|  | 21 June 1974
|  | 20 October 1978
|  | 10 November 1978<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £37,900,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89pt1/><ref name=Janes1982>Moore, John ''Jane's Fighting Ships, 1982–83'', pub Jane's Publishing Co Ltd, 1982, {{ISBN|0-7106-0742-3}}-page 553.</ref>
|-valign=top
|  | D88
|  | {{HMS|Glasgow|D88|2}}
|  | Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend-on-Tyne.
|  | 11 November 1971
|  | 16 April 1974
|  | 14 April 1976
|  | 9 March 1979
|  | 24 May 1979<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £36,900,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89pt1/><ref name=Janes1982/>
|-valign=top
|  | D108
|  | {{HMS|Cardiff|D108|2}}
|  | Vickers Shipbuilders Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness (to launching stage)<br/>Swan Hunter Ltd, Hebburn (for completion).<ref name=Janes1982/>
|  | 10 June 1971
|  | 6 November 1972
|  | 22 February 1974
|  | 22 September 1979
|  | 24 September 1979<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £40,500,000<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 Hansard: HC Deb 23 October 1989 vol 158 cc357-8W 357W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704005508/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1989/oct/23/research-establishments#S6CV0158P0_19891023_CWA_517 |date=4 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding warship costs, 23 October 1989 says £40.5 million.</ref><ref group=Note>Moore, John ''Jane's Fighting Ships, 1982–83'', pub Jane's Publishing Co Ltd, 1982, {{ISBN|0-7106-0742-3}}-page 553 said £40.4 million.<br/>Marriott, Leo ''Modern Combat Ships 3, Type 42'', pub Ian Allan, 1985, {{ISBN|0-7110-1453-1}}-page 15 said £40.4 million.<br/>Aldrich, Richard James ''Intelligence, Defence, and Diplomacy: British Policy in the Post-War World. Taylor & Francis'', pub 1994, {{ISBN|0-7146-4140-5}} page 119 says: "One example of how delay in procurement programmes can raise costs is the construction of the Type-42 destroyer HMS ''Cardiff''.  Vickers Shipbuilders had originally intended to deliver the vessel in 1975 for a total cost of £15 million.  Owing to difficulties in recruiting labourer to work on construction the ship was only completed in 1978 and cost double the original price (over £30 million)."  On page 129 it gives the source of this cost data as: "''Fourth Report from the Committee on Public Accounts, 1976–77'' (H.C. 304), April 1977, pp xii–xiii and Q. 92."<br>The cost quoted in ''Aldrich'' is from a source written before the completion of the vessel, and so is less complete than the cost quoted in ''Jane's'' and ''Marriott'', which were written after completion of the vessel, and are nearly the same as the Hansard figure.</ref>
|-valign=top
! colspan=9 | Royal Navy – batch 2
|-valign=top
|  | D89
|  | {{HMS|Exeter|D89|2}}
|  | Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend-on-Tyne.
|  | 22 January 1976
|  | 22 July 1976
|  | 25 April 1978
|  | 30 August 1980
|  | 19 September 1980<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £60,100,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89pt1/><ref name=Janes1982/>
|-valign=top
|  | D90
|  | {{HMS|Southampton|D90|2}}
|  | [[Vosper Thornycroft|Vosper Thornycroft Ltd, Woolston]].
|  | 17 March 1976
|  | 21 October 1976
|  | 29 January 1979
|  | 17 August 1981
|  | 31 October 1981<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £67,500,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89pt1/>
|-valign=top
|  | D92
|  | {{HMS|Liverpool|D92|2}}
|  | Cammell Laird & Co, Birkenhead.
|  | 27 May 1977
|  | 5 July 1978
|  | 25 September 1980
|  | 12 May 1982
|  | 1 July 1982<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £92,800,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89pt1/>
|-valign=top
|  | D91
|  | {{HMS|Nottingham|D91|2}}
|  | Vosper Thornycroft Ltd, Woolston.
|  | 1 March 1977
|  | 6 February 1978
|  | 18 February 1980
|  | 22 December 1982
|  | 14 April 1983<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £82,100,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89pt1/>
|-valign=top
! colspan=9 | Royal Navy – batch 3
|-valign=top
|  | D95
|  | {{HMS|Manchester|D95|2}}
|  | Vickers Shipbuilders Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness.
|  | 10 November 1978
|  | 19 May 1978
|  | 24 November 1980
|  | 19 November 1982
|  | 16 December 1982<ref name=Comm/>
|  | £110,000,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89pt1/>
|-valign=top
|  | D98
|  | {{HMS|York|D98|2}}
|  | Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend-on-Tyne.
|  | 25 April 1979
|  | 18 January 1980
|  | 21 June 1982
|  | 25 March 1985<ref name=Hansard23Oct89>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1989/oct/23/navy-vessels Hansard HC Deb 23 October 1989 vol 158 cc358-61W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704005658/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1989/oct/23/navy-vessels |date=4 July 2009 }} Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence, 23 October 1989.</ref>
|  | 9 August 1985
|  | £118,700,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89/>
|-valign=top
|  | D96
|  | {{HMS|Gloucester|D96|2}}
|  | Vosper Thornycroft Ltd, Woolston.
|  | 27 March 1979
|  | 29 October 1979
|  | 2 November 1982
|  | 16 May 1985<ref name=Hansard23Oct89/>
|  | 11 September 1985
|  | £120,800,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89/>
|-valign=top
|  | D97
|  | {{HMS|Edinburgh|D97|2}}
|  | Cammell Laird & Co, Birkenhead.
|  | 25 April 1979
|  | 8 September 1980
|  | 13 April 1983
|  | 25 July 1985<ref name=Hansard23Oct89/>
|  | 17 December 1985
|  | £130,600,000<ref name=Hansard23Oct89/>
|-valign=top
! colspan=9 | Argentine Republic Navy– batch 1
|-valign=top
|  | D1
|  | {{ship|ARA|Hércules|B-52|2}}
|  | Vickers Shipbuilders Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness.
|  | 18 May 1970
|  | 16 June 1971
|  | 24 October 1972
|  | 10 May 1976<ref name=MCS3p26/>
|  | 12 July 1976<ref name=MCS3p26/>
|  |
|-valign=top
|  | D2
|  | {{ship|ARA|Santísima Trinidad|1974|2}}
|  | [[Río Santiago Shipyard|AFNE, Rio Santiago, Argentina]].
|  | 18 May 1970
|  | 11 October 1971
|  | 9 November 1974
|  |
|  | 1 July 1981
|  |
|-
|}

In May 1982, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State ([[Jerry Wiggin]]) stated that the current replacement cost of a Type 42 destroyer of the ''Sheffield'' class was "about £120 million."<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1982/may/27/royal-navy-ships-replacement-costs#S6CV0024P0-08145 Hansard HC Deb 27 May 1982 vol 24 c397W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718204212/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1982/may/27/royal-navy-ships-replacement-costs#S6CV0024P0-08145 |date=18 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the current replacement cost of a Type 42 destroyer of the ''Sheffield'' class., 27 May 1982</ref> In July 1984, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State [[John Lee, Baron Lee of Trafford|(John Lee)]] stated: "the average cost of the three Type 42 destroyers currently under construction is £117 million at 1983–84 price levels."<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1984/jul/23/type-42-destroyer#S6CV0064P0-09993 Hansard HC Deb 23 July 1984 vol 64 c534W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708015952/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1984/jul/23/type-42-destroyer#S6CV0064P0-09993 |date=8 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the latest cost estimate of aTtype 42 destroyer, 23 July 1984.</ref>

==Running costs==

===Not including major refits and upgrades===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
|-valign=top
!  | Date
! width=75 | Running cost
!  | What is included
!  | Citation
|-valign=top
|  | 1981–82
|  | £10.0 million
|  | Average annual running cost of Type 42s at average 1981–82 prices and including associated aircraft costs but excluding the costs of major refits.
| align=center |<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1982/jul/16/naval-vessels-operating-costs#S6CV0027P0-09171 Hansard HC Deb 16 July 1982 vol 27 cc485-6W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709143026/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1982/jul/16/naval-vessels-operating-costs#S6CV0027P0-09171 |date=9 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about operating costs of naval vessels, 16 July 1982.</ref>
|-valign=top
|  | 1985–86
|  | £15 million
|  | The average cost of running and maintaining a type 42 destroyer for one year.
| align=center |<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1987/jan/22/ships-operating-costs#S6CV0108P0-10356 Hansard HC Deb 22 January 1987 vol 108 c730W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714003916/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1987/jan/22/ships-operating-costs#S6CV0108P0-10356 |date=14 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about operating costs of naval vessels, 22 January 1987.</ref>
|-valign=top
|  | 1987–88
|  | £7 million
|  | The average annual operating costs, at financial year 1987–88 prices of a type 42 destroyer. These costs include personnel, fuel, spares, and so on, and administrative support services, but exclude new construction, capital equipment, and refit-repair costs.
| align=center |<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1989/mar/10/warships#S6CV0148P0-04574 Hansard HC Deb 10 March 1989 vol 148 c44W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716221004/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1989/mar/10/warships#S6CV0148P0-04574 |date=16 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about operating costs of naval vessels, 10 March 1989.</ref>
|-valign=top
|  | 2001–02
|  | £13.0 million
| rowspan=2 | Type 42 destroyer, average annual operating costs, based on historic costs over each full financial year. The figures include manpower, maintenance, fuel, stores, and other costs (such as harbour dues), but exclude depreciation and cost of capital.
| align=center rowspan=2 |<ref name=Hansard09Sep03>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/2003/sep/09/destroyers Hansard HC Deb 09 September 2003 vol 410 cc346-7W] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716033811/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/2003/sep/09/destroyers |date=16 July 2009 }} Question to the Secretary of State for Defence 9 September 2003.</ref>
|-valign=top
|  | 2002–03
|  | £13.5 million
|-
|}

===Including refits and upgrades===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
|-valign=top
!  | Date
! width=75 | Running cost
!  | What is included
!  | Citation
|-valign=top
|  | 2007–08
|  | £31.35&nbsp;million
|  | "The annual operating cost of the Type 42 Class of Destroyers, covering a total of eight vessels in the 07/08 period, is £250.8M." "This is based on information primarily from Financial Year 07/08 the last year for which this information is available, and includes typical day-to-day costs such as fuel and manpower and general support costs covering maintenance, repair and equipment spares. Costs for equipment spares are also included, although these are based on Financial Year 08/09 information as this is the most recent information available. Costs for weapon system support are not included as they could only be provided at disproportionate cost."
| align=center |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090909/text/90909w0024.htm |title=Hansard 9 Sep 2009, Column 2001W |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419121306/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090909/text/90909w0024.htm |archive-date=19 April 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-valign=top
|  | 2009–10
|  | £26.7&nbsp;million
| |"The average running cost per class... Type 42 is £160.1 million. These figures, based on the expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence in 2009–10, include maintenance, safety certification, military upgrades, manpower, inventory, satellite communication, fuel costs, and depreciation.".
| align=center |<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111122181327/http://services.parliament.uk/hansard/Lords/ByDate/20101124/writtenanswers/part003.html 24 November 2010 Written Answers]</ref>
|}

In May 2000, the [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces|Minister of State for the Armed Forces]] ([[John Spellar]]) stated: "The running costs of each of the Royal Navy's Type 42 destroyers for each of the past five years are contained in the following table. This includes repair and maintenance, manpower, fuel, and other costs such as port and harbour dues. Year-on-year variations are largely attributable to refit periods."<ref name=Hansard22May00>{{citation |author=John Spellar |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/2000/may/22/naval-vessels#S6CV0350P0-07071 |work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=22 May 2000 |volume= 350 |at=cc318-9W |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711141451/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/2000/may/22/naval-vessels#S6CV0350P0-07071 |archive-date=11 July 2009 |url-status=live |title=Naval Vessels }}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" 
|+Running costs<ref name=Hansard22May00/>
|-
|-valign=top
! Ship
! 1995–96
! 1996–97
! 1997–98
! 1998–99
! 1999–2000
|-valign=top
|  | ''Birmingham''
|  | £32.28 million
|  | £16.92 million
|  | £17.38 million
|  | £13.38 million
|  | £10.39 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Newcastle''
|  | £32.60 million
|  | £31.60 million
|  | £18.57 million
|  | £13.90 million
|  | £13.73 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Glasgow''
|  | £14.70 million
|  | £29.47 million
|  | £26.36 million
|  | £13.61 million
|  | £12.65 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Cardiff''
|  | £19.86 million
|  | £41.2 million
|  | £28.86 million
|  | £13.20 million
|  | £17.87 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Exeter''
|  | £19.46 million
|  | £15.72 million
|  | £40.83 million
|  | £12.76 million
|  | £14.48 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Southampton''
|  | £16.53 million
|  | £20.37 million
|  | £17.91 million
|  | £39.09 million
|  | £18.79 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Nottingham''
|  | £18.70 million
|  | £17.24 million
|  | £19.08 million
|  | £13.08 million
|  | £32.74 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Liverpool''
|  | £16.92 million
|  | £20.75 million
|  | £14.59 million
|  | £14.79 million
|  | £14.63 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Manchester''
|  | £17.99 million
|  | £19.40 million
|  | £14.58 million
|  | £12.22 million
|  | £12.69 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Gloucester''
|  | £19.33 million
|  | £19.40 million
|  | £13.89 million
|  | £21.49 million
|  | £15.77 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''York''
|  | £20.48 million
|  | £19.79 million
|  | £17.50 million
|  | £11.78 million
|  | £21.88 million
|-valign=top
|  | ''Edinburgh''
|  | £35.27 million
|  | £19.29 million
|  | £22.50 million
|  | £13.00 million
|  | £12.28 million
|}

==Fate of ships==

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
|-valign=top
!  Pennant
!  Name
!  Home port
!  Commissioned
!  colspan=2 | Status
|-valign=top
|-valign=top
! colspan=7| Royal Navy
|-valign=top
! colspan=7 | Batch 1
|-valign=top
|  | D80
|  | ''[[HMS Sheffield (D80)|Sheffield]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 16 February 1975
| colspan=2 | Sunk in [[Falklands War]] 4 May 1982
|-valign=top
|  | D86
|  | ''[[HMS Birmingham (D86)|Birmingham]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 3 December 1976
|  | Decommissioned 31 December 1999
|  | Scrapped October 2000
|-valign=top
|  | D88
|  | ''[[HMS Glasgow (D88)|Glasgow]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 25 May 1977
|  | Decommissioned 1 February 2005
|  | Scrapped December 2008
|-valign=top
|  | D87
|  | ''[[HMS Newcastle (D87)|Newcastle]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 23 March 1978
|  | Decommissioned 1 February 2005
|  | Scrapped November 2008
|-valign=top
|  | D118
|  | ''[[HMS Coventry (D118)|Coventry]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 20 October 1978
| colspan=2 | Sunk in Falklands War 25 May 1982
|-valign=top
|  | D108
|  | ''[[HMS Cardiff (D108)|Cardiff]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 24 September 1979
|  | Decommissioned 14 July 2005
|  | Scrapped November 2008
|-valign=top
! colspan=7 | Batch 2
|-valign=top
|  | D89
|  | ''[[HMS Exeter (D89)|Exeter]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 18 September 1980
|  | Decommissioned 27 May 2009
|  | Scrapped September 2011
|-valign=top
|  | D90
|  | ''[[HMS Southampton (D90)|Southampton]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 31 October 1981
|  | Decommissioned 12 February 2009<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4117771.HMS_Southampton_bows_out_after_28_years/ |title=Daily Echo ''HMS Southampton bows out after 28 years'' |access-date=11 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626201033/http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4117771.HMS_Southampton_bows_out_after_28_years/ |archive-date=26 June 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|  | Scrapped October 2011
|-valign=top
|  | D92
|  | [[HMS Liverpool (D92)|''Liverpool'']]
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 9 July 1982
|  | Decommissioned 30 March 2012
|  | Scrapped October 2014
|-valign=top
|  | D91
|  | ''[[HMS Nottingham (D91)|Nottingham]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 8 April 1983
|  | Decommissioned 11 February 2010
|  | Scrapped October 2011
|-valign=top
! colspan=7 | Batch 3
|-valign=top
|  | D95
|  | ''[[HMS Manchester (D95)|Manchester]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 16 December 1982
|  | Decommissioned 24 February 2011
|  | Scrapped November 2014
|-valign=top
|  | D98
|  | ''[[HMS York (D98)|York]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 9 August 1985
|  | Decommissioned 27 September 2012<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-19648000 |title="BBC: Royal Navy's HMS York makes final Portsmouth return" |work=BBC News |date=20 September 2012 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106063354/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-19648000 |archive-date=6 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|  | Scrapped August 2015
|-valign=top
|  | D96
|  | ''[[HMS Gloucester (D96)|Gloucester]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 11 September 1985
|  | Decommissioned 30 June 2011
|  | Scrapped September 2015
|-valign=top
|  | D97
|  | ''[[HMS Edinburgh (D97)|Edinburgh]]''
|  | Portsmouth
|  | 17 December 1985
|  | Decommissioned 6 June 2013
|  | Scrapped August 2015
|-valign=top
! colspan=7 | Navy of the Argentine Republic
|-valign=top
|  | B-52 <br/>(ex D-1)
|  | [[ARA Hércules (B-52)|''Hércules'']]
|  | Puerto Belgrano
|  | 12 July 1976
| colspan=2 | Transformed in a multi-purpose transport ship since 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ara.mil.ar/poder_naval/buques_superficie/pnav_esp_transp_multiproposito.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208222806/http://www.ara.mil.ar/poder_naval/buques_superficie/pnav_esp_transp_multiproposito.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-12-08|title=Especificaciones Técnicas|date=2006-12-08|access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref> As of 2020, reported non-operational.<ref name="zona-militar.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2021/08/03/la-retroceso-operacional-de-la-armada-argentina-en-la-ultimas-decadas/|title = El retroceso operacional de la Armada Argentina en la últimas décadas|date = 3 August 2021}}</ref> Formally retired in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2024/03/22/after-years-without-sailing-the-argentine-navy-confirms-the-definitive-decommissioning-of-the-multipurpose-fast-transport-ara-hercules/ |title=After years without sailing, the Argentine Navy confirms the definitive decommissioning of the Multipurpose Fast Transport ARA “Hércules” |last=Videla Solá |first=Mariano Germán |work=Zona Militar |date=22 March 2024 |access-date=27 March 2024 }}</ref>
|-valign=top
|  | D-2
|  | [[ARA Santísima Trinidad (1974)|''Santísima Trinidad'']]
|  | Puerto Belgrano
|  | 1 July 1981
|  | Decommissioned in 2004.<br />Intended to become a naval museum, but sank, as a result of negligence, off Puerto Belgrano on 22 January 2013.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/> She was refloated in December 2015 and moved to a drydock to evaluate her restoration as a museum ship.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.clarin.com/politica/Armada-Rusia-destructor-Trinidad-Malvinas_0_1487851453.html |title=La Armada incorpora dos navíos comprados a Rusia y reflota el 'Trinidad', que participó en Malvinas |date=18 December 2015 |access-date=1 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231142021/http://www.clarin.com/politica/Armada-Rusia-destructor-Trinidad-Malvinas_0_1487851453.html |archive-date=31 December 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> But due to serious damage and lack of funds, she was destined to be scrapped in 2018.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://elrosalenio.com.ar/noticias/23/02/2016/10016288/El+Sant%C3%ADsima+Trinidad+no+ser%C3%A1+museo+y+finalmente+ser%C3%A1+raleado|title=El Santísima Trinidad no será museo y finalmente será raleado - El Rosalenio Digital - Punta Alta|website=elrosalenio|language=es|access-date=2018-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206002021/http://elrosalenio.com.ar/noticias/23/02/2016/10016288/El+Sant%C3%ADsima+Trinidad+no+ser%C3%A1+museo+y+finalmente+ser%C3%A1+raleado|archive-date=6 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|  |Undergoing for scrapping since 2018.<ref name=":0"/>
|}

[[File:Hércules babor.jpg|thumb|ARA ''Hércules'' following her conversion]]
The surviving [[Argentina|Argentine]] Type 42, ''Hércules'', was based at [[Puerto Belgrano Naval Base]], Argentina, and converted into an amphibious command ship through the addition of a new aft superstructure and hangar. She was originally fitted with four single Exocet missile launchers, two on either side of the funnel facing forward but these were removed during refit. As of 2020, ''Hércules'' was reported to be non-operational.<ref name="zona-militar.com"/> The other Argentine vessel, ''Santísima Trinidad'', capsized and sank alongside her berth at Puerto Belgrano on 22 January 2013, reportedly as a result of poor maintenance and negligence leading to a burst seawater main and catastrophic flooding.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/falklandislands/9820163/Falklands-warship-sinks-in-Argentina.html |title=Falklands warship sinks in Argentina |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925232858/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/falklandislands/9820163/Falklands-warship-sinks-in-Argentina.html |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was formally taken out of service in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2024/03/22/after-years-without-sailing-the-argentine-navy-confirms-the-definitive-decommissioning-of-the-multipurpose-fast-transport-ara-hercules/ |title=After years without sailing, the Argentine Navy confirms the definitive decommissioning of the Multipurpose Fast Transport ARA “Hércules” |last=Videla Solá |first=Mariano Germán |work=Zona Militar |date=22 March 2024 |access-date=27 March 2024 }}</ref>

Prior to her demise, ''Santísima Trinidad'' was extensively [[Cannibalization (parts)|cannibalised]] for spare parts for her more active sister ship. In December 2015, she was refloated and placed in drydock to evaluate the cost of restoration as a museum ship. Finally, due to the very high cost required, it was decided to scrap her in 2016.<ref name=":0" />

==Replacement==

All the Royal Navy Type 42 ships are now decommissioned. Initially, the United Kingdom sought to procure replacements through collaboration with seven other [[NATO]] nations under the [[NFR-90]] project, and then with France and Italy via the [[Horizon CNGF]] programme. Both collaborative ventures failed, leading to the national Type 45 project.<ref name="NAO report">{{cite journal |url=http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0809/the_type_45_destroyer.aspx |title=Providing Anti Air Warfare Capability: the Type 45 destroyer |journal=National Audit Office |date=13 March 2009 |isbn=978-0-10-295468-5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805061334/http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0809/the_type_45_destroyer.aspx |archive-date=5 August 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Six [[Type 45 destroyer|Type 45 destroyers]], {{HMS|Daring|D32|2}}, {{HMS|Dauntless|D33|2}}, {{HMS|Diamond|D34|2}}, {{HMS|Dragon|D35|2}}, {{HMS|Defender|D36|2}} and {{HMS|Duncan|D37|2}}, are all in commission and are considerably larger, displacing 7,500 tonnes compared to the Type 42’s 3,600 tonnes.<ref name="NAO report"/>

==See also==
* [[List of naval ship classes in service]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Type 42 destroyers}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111202001434/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Ships/Destroyers/Type-42-Destroyers Royal Navy Type 42 destroyers website]

{{Type 42 destroyer}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Type 42 Destroyer}}
[[Category:Destroyer classes]]
[[Category:Ship classes of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Type 42 destroyers| ]]
[[Category:COGOG ships]]