Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth has deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf region for six months.
The ship left her home port of HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, on Monday (28 Sept) afternoon primarily to engage in anti-piracy and maritime security operations. The Type 23 frigate is also ready for any other tasking required while on operations.
HMS Monmouth, known within the fleet as ‘The Black Duke’, has just completed challenging operational sea training by the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation in the naval base. This intensive training prepares the ship and her crew for the deployment making sure they are ready in all respects for whatever they may face over the coming months.
The ship’s commanding officer Commander Tony Long said: “The Black Duke is ready for this deployment. We are well-trained and motivated by the importance of our contribution to security and stability in the region. We are relishing the challenges ahead.”
Commissioned by Lady Eaton in 1991, HMS Monmouth is a Type 23 Duke class frigate with a length of 133 metres and displacing over 4000 tonnes. She has a complement of 174 officers and ratings and is equipped with the latest weapons, sensors and communications systems, including the vertical launch Seawolf missile system for close air defence, a 4.5 inch gun, anti submarine torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and a Merlin helicopter.
