Employees and guests, including senior representatives from the Royal Navy of Oman and UK Royal Navy, gathered in front of the ship as the crew marched on board to raise the national flag of Oman on her flight deck for the first time.

Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships, said: “Today is an important milestone in the strong and growing relationship between BAE Systems and Oman, as we hand over the first of the Khareef class warships.