Royal Navy shuffles homeport for Type 23 frigates

The Royal Navy’s eight Type 23 anti-submarine warfare frigates will all be based at HMAS Devonport at Plymouth, under homeporting changes announced by the Ministry of Defence.

The remaining five general-purpose frigates will be based in Portsmouth.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the base port changes would take place during unmanned maintenance and upkeep periods over the next five years, starting with the move of HMS Richmond from Portsmouth to Plymouth in 2018.

The switch would bring benefits to force generation, operational readiness, training and logistics and provide greater stability for ships’ crews and their families.

From 2023, Her Majesty’s Naval Base at Portsmouth will be the home to HMS Argyll, HMS Lancaster, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Monmouth and HMS Montrose.

Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport will be the home port for HMS Westminster, HMS Northumberland, HMS Richmond, HMS Somerset, HMS Sutherland, HMS Kent, HMS Portland and HMS St Albans.