GLASGOW has bid goodbye to a navy vessel after it docked on the Clyde, offering people a chance to visit.

HMS Lancaster was opened to invited visitors after exercise joint warrior which saw NATO ships take to the water on Scotland's west coast.

Lord Provost Philip Braat was among those who joined the vessel as she sailed up the River Clyde.

The visitors were given a tour of the sophisticated ship which recently underwent a major refit to her Artisan 3D radar and to her air-defence capabilities provided by Sea Ceptor missiles.

Commander Will Blackett, HMS Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, said: “After being at the heart of Exercise Joint Warrior 21 alongside 19 other NATO warships, I am delighted that HMS Lancaster now has the opportunity to visit Glasgow and be so close to the ship-building home of our next generation of Type 26 Frigates.”

Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC, Naval Regional Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “It was fantastic to see so many NATO vessels visit multiple ports in and around Scotland and Northern Ireland.  It has been a productive and exciting time for the Royal Navy and allied navies and a busy period for those who coordinate and oversee this effort.  

“Over the last fortnight or so my team has assisted in some seven Scottish port visits comprising 13 individual ships, all demonstrating the Royal Navy’s continuous commitment to longstanding international relationships and our place at the heart of NATO.

“HMS Lancaster’s visit to King George V dock in Glasgow, hard on the heels of intensive training and operations in the North Atlantic provided an ideal opportunity to showcase capability and host key resilience partners, maritime businesses and local community representatives.”    

Exercise Joint Warrior saw involvement by some 27 surface ships, three submarines, eight maritime patrol aircraft and other air assets, as well as personnel from Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and United States.

Exercise Joint Warrior is coordinated from HM Naval Base Clyde in Argyll & Bute and many of the aircraft involved are flown from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray. 

NATO exercises, such as Joint Warrior, demonstrate and develop the extensive military capabilities that NATO Allies need to keep our nations safe.