End of the line for frigate HMS Montrose
Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose operates in the waters of the Gulf. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The UK RN has decommissioned Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose today at a Portsmouth ceremony.
After almost three decades of service, the vessel was slated for decommissioning in the UK’s 2021 previously published Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper.
Montrose was laid down in 1989 at the then Marconi Marine shipyard in Scotstoun, later commissioning in 1994 and went through a mid-life upgrade from 2014 to 2017, which saw the installation of the Sea Ceptor air defence system.
Montrose spent the last few years forward-deployed to the Gulf, achieving high levels of availability and conducting maritime security missions.
Related Articles
Rolls-Royce awarded £85 million to support RN Type 23 engine
QinetiQ to design on-shore simulator for Royal Navy
Aurora partnership secures £22 million contract to provide expert support to Royal Navy fleets
Ahead of its decommissioning, Montrose returned to the UK late last year. Since entering service, Montrose has covered over 420,000nmi.
Another Type 23 frigate, HMS Monmouth, was decommissioned in 2021.
The move leaves the RN with 11 frigates in service as part of a 17-strong escort fleet that includes six Daring-class Type 45 destroyers.
The RN fleet will not grow in numerical strength until the City-class Type 26 and Inspiration-class Type 31 frigates are entered into service.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Taiwan entrusts USVs with task of deterring a PLA amphibious invasion]()
Taiwan entrusts USVs with task of deterring a PLA amphibious invasion
Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s Black Sea experience, Taiwan is investing heavily in unmanned surface vessels to strengthen its asymmetric defence strategy against potential PLA amphibious assaults.
-
![US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities]()
US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities
The USCG has been increasing efforts to accelerate the process to develop, procure, deploy and sustain autonomous and counter-uncrewed systems across its fleet.
-
![Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win]()
Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win
A fighting force such as the Royal Navy must inevitably focus on its core capabilities, platforms and readiness. But to avoid unexpected outcomes and costly oversights, a complex organisation like this needs to be underpinned by sound enterprise-level risk management principles and systems.
