A force of nine Type 45 destroyers would have provided more room to rotate ships through refit and reserve. HMS Daring instead faced heavy early use while first-of-class problems accumulated. Removing parts to keep other ships operating then increased the work needed to restore her. Her prolonged absence from service is attributed to that combination of overuse, a small fleet, and cannibalisation.
Notable Point · 1:53:05-1:53:44
HMS Daring shows why fleet depth matters
Daring's prolonged inactivity is linked to heavy early use, first-of-class problems, and the removal of parts to support other Type 45s.