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All of the Royal Navy’s most powerful warships are in port at the same time, it was revealed yesterday.

The six £1 billion Type 45 destroyers are docked in Portsmouth for reasons that include giving crews time with their families over the summer, according to the MInistry of Defence.

Tom Sharpe, from the Directorate of Defence Communications, said the scenario was “unusual but not unprecedented” and the ships could be docked for “anything from a few weeks to a month”.

He added it was not connected to the need for all six ships to be refitted with new engines, which broke down in the Persian Gulf because they were not designed for the hot water .

Described as part of the backbone of the Royal Navy, Type 45 destroyers are the most powerful ships ever built for use by the British Armed Forces.

The first of six, HMS Daring, was commissioned in July 2009 and was followed by sister ships Dauntless, Diamond, Dragon and Defender and finally HMS Duncan in 2013.

(Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “This week the Royal Navy had over 8,500 personnel deployed on operations around the world and 34 ships at sea.

“All Type 45 destroyers are currently in port as they have either just returned from operations, or are about to be deployed, are conducting training or carrying out maintenance or are home for crew to take summer leave.”