ONE of the Royal Navy's newest warships in Cardiff will be joined by ships of navies from across Nato.

HMS Duncan sailed into Cardiff yesterday and will become part of a small flotilla of NATO warships in the capital.

The state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyer sailed through the dock entrance in Cardiff with just 70cm manoeuvring room either side.

Alongside HMS Duncan will be ships from France (La Motte-Picquet – an anti-submarine frigate), Norway (HNoMS Skudd – a corvette), Germany (LKL Kursis – a minehunter) and the Netherlands (HNLMS URK – a minesweeper) which will all be engaged in official, ceremonial and public duties.

Commanding Officer of HMS Duncan, Commander Richard Atkinson, told the Argus: “As far as we are concerned, we are here to work as a back drop and help show case the vital role Nato plays in defence security.

“I’m working to make sure everything goes smoothly, and prepare for the dinner of the senior delegation of ministers.”

Cooks from the crew will help put together the five-course dinner on the first day of the summit, which will feature the traditional Welsh lamb.

Preparations for the visit to South Wales for the Nato summit has taken the crew more than six weeks, after Duncan visited Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

Commander Atkinson said: “It is magnificent the ship has come to Wales. What a great opportunity for Wales to showcase itself and local business.

As well as their official duties all the ship’s companies have been invited to participate in a NATO Summit (maritime) 7-a-side football tournament. Competition organiser Lieutenant Commander Brian Hayse said: “There has been great support for this event from all of the ships I am sure it will be a friendly but very competitive tournament.”