Type 23 Frigate In For Maintenance Ahead Of Global Deployment

Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Portland has returned to her home base at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, Devon, for some scheduled maintenance to be carried out by Babcock International.

The penultimate Duke-class frigate, she was built by Marconi Marine and commissioned in 2001. In the early part of last year she participated in NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 2024 as part of the U.K. Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

Afterwards she underwent sea trials after becoming the second Royal Navy warship to be fitted with Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile.

A Babcock International social media post noted: “Our expert teams were pleased to welcome HMS Portland into 6 Dock at HMNB Devonport for some essential maintenance.

Through advanced planning tools and modern maintenance techniques, we are improving the way work is scheduled and carried out, making the process more efficient and effective.”

Following her maintenance period later this year she is scheduled to join the ranks of the U.K. CSG led by HMS Prince of Wales on a deployment which will send British warships, support vessels and jets across the world to the Far East.

The flotilla will also feature fellow Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke, Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless and an Astute-class submarine.