County Class
The County class of destroyers were large vessels built by the Royal Navy around the Sea Slug Anti-Air missile system. Eight of the vessels were built, between 1962 and 1970. These ships were replaced in service by the Type 42 Sheffield Class destroyers. Four are still in service with the Chilean navy. All Royal Navy vessels had left the service by 1982.
County Class ships initally were armed with two dual-4.5-inch Vikers guns, however the second dual-gun was replaced with four Exocet missiles in the 1970s, a first for the Royal Navy. The ship was also armed with two Sea Cat short range anti-aircraft missile systems. In addition, the ships' main weapon was the large and very powerful Sea Slug anti-aircraft missile system, that was also used effectively in the anti-ship role. The Sea Slug was in the 1960s and early 1970s the most effective anti-air missile system in any navy.
Ships:
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