UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel redesignated as warship for minehunting duties

A specialist mine hunting ship formally became a Royal Navy warship earlier this week as she prepares for front-line operations protecting UK waters from underwater threats.

Acquired in 2023 for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and since operating under the name RFA Stirling Castle, the ship was redesignated as a fully commissioned warship of the Royal Navy fleet, therefore becoming HMS Stirling Castle, in a ceremony on Monday, July 21.

As Stirling Castle has now been designated a warship and will be committed 100 per cent of her time to front-line operations, this would allow her former RFA crew to focus on their primary task of operating the tankers and support ships across the auxiliary fleet.

Stirling Castle will carry advanced equipment, including autonomous surface and underwater vehicles, for specialist mine countermeasures (MCM) operations, primarily in UK waters.

"This is the first time in living memory that Royal Navy personnel have taken over a ship from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary," said Commander Phil Harper, who has taken over as Stirling Castle's commanding officer following her redesignation as a warship.

Stirling Castle will be homeported at HMNB Portsmouth. The ship began life as the offshore support vessel Island Crown but was acquired by the UK Ministry of Defence in 2023 and underwent conversion at HMNB Devonport to transform her into a vessel dedicated to supporting MCM.

The ship will also be repainted in grey in line with international warship conventions.