More than 10,000 people have gathered on the banks of the River Clyde to witness the launch of the Royal Navy's latest Type 45 Destroyer.
HMS Dragon slipped into the water from BVT's shipyard at Govan, Glasgow, with an 18m Welsh Dragon on its bow.
The vessel will provide air defence cover, be able to carry up to 60 Royal Marine Commandos and operate a Chinook sized helicopter from its flight deck.
Dragon is the fourth of six new Type 45 Destroyers to be launched.
The Type 45 will replace the Navy's ageing fleet of Type 42 destroyers.
All six new vessels are to be built and launched in Glasgow, securing work at yards on the Clyde well into the next decade.
HMS Daring was launched in February 2006, HMS Dauntless in January 2007 and HMS Diamond in November 2007.
"They are based on first-class innovation and engineering which will set new standards in air defence and they will ensure that the Royal Navy remains at the forefront of the world's navies"
They are due to come into service in 2009 and 2010.
Work on the fifth and six T45s, Defender and Duncan, is still ongoing.
With a price tag of £605m, each of the 150m long vessels weighs in at about 7,350 tons.
Speaking at the launch of HMS Dragon, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, Commander in Chief Fleet, said: "We are in the middle of the largest procurement programme for the Royal Navy in many years and today's event underlines the importance of the Royal Navy in the 21st Century.
"The Type 45 destroyers will be powerful and versatile ships, capable of undertaking a wide range of military tasks.
"They are based on first-class innovation and engineering which will set new standards in air defence and they will ensure that the Royal Navy remains at the forefront of the world's navies."
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