The HMS Monmouth frigate, which served for 28 years in the Royal Navy, has been sold to a Turkish company specialized in ship recycling.
Known as the “Black Duke,” the ship was retired in 2021 and recently transferred for dismantling in Turkey, in a process overseen by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The sale aimed to ensure ethical and environmentally responsible disposal, with the Turkish yard Leyal chosen after a tender among EU-certified companies.
Built at the end of the Cold War, in 1993, the HMS Monmouth was designed for anti-submarine missions but, throughout its career, also participated in humanitarian operations and anti-piracy missions in various regions of the world, such as the Persian Gulf, Antarctica, and the coast of Somalia. Its last major service was in 2018 when it accompanied the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth on its journey to the United States.
The frigate was the sixth of the Duke class (Type 23) and now makes way for the new generation of ships in the Royal Navy. Eight Type 26 frigates (City class), focused on anti-submarine warfare, and five Type 31 frigates (Inspiration class) are under construction to replace the current general-purpose frigates.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @HMS_MONMOUTH | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team