The Royal Navy’s new warship was damaged in a collision – just weeks after it was declared ready for action.

HMS Daring, said to be the most advanced warship in the world, was hit by a tug boat near Southampton on Tuesday, a spokesman said.

The ship suffered damage along a 9.5 metre stretch of her starboard side as it returned from routine operations on the south coast.

The tug lost control after an engine failure and was unable to avoid hitting HMS Daring.

An investigation was under way to discover the full extent of the ship’s damage.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: “We can confirm that a tug suffered a machinery breakdown and collided with the destroyer HMS Daring prior to the latter berthing at Marchwood in Southampton water on Tuesday.

“There were no reports of casualties and the external visible damage is a dent on her starboard side 9.5 metres long by a metre wide.

“The extent of the damage is still being assessed and it is too early to say whether there will be any effect on the ship’s programme.”

The Type 45 Class air defence destroyer was officially declared ready to play a key role in operations around the world last month.

Since arriving in its home base of Portsmouth in January last year, the ship has undertaken months of intensive sea trials and made its first overseas visit to Ireland.

The 7,500 tonne vessel is longer than 16 double decker buses and taller than an electricity pylon.

The ship’s ability to operate a range of helicopters from its flight deck and embark up to 60 troops in addition to its own ship’s company means it is a versatile asset that can support land forces and carry out humanitarian missions.