Royal Navy decommissions Type 23 frigate Montrose

The Royal Navy formally retired the Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose from service at Portsmouth naval base on Monday, April 17.

Montrose, the seventh ship in the Type 23 or Duke-class frigates, was commissioned in 1994. It repeatedly deployed overseas throughout its 29 years in active service, most recently in the waters of the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean where it conducted missions such as anti-narcotics and anti-illicit weapons trafficking patrols.

The Royal Navy is retiring the Type 23 ships to make way for the Type 31 or Inspiration-class frigates, which are scheduled to be introduced into service beginning in 2025.