Royal Navy frigate deploys to Asia with new Sea Ceptor missile system

Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll became the third Royal Navy ship to deploy to Asia as she got underway from her Devonport Naval base on June 18.

The frigate will be spending the next nine-months in Asia, sailing as far as Japan as part of a national push to strengthen military and diplomatic ties in the region.

Argyll will also visit Australia and New Zealand.

Two other Plymouth ships, HMS Sutherland and HMS Albion, are now deployed to the East Asia region. HMS Argyll is due to arrive later this summer and depart early next year.

The deployment follows Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Tokyo last year when she and her Japanese counterpart discussed defense, security co-operation and open access to the oceans. The ship will also undertake military exercises with the Japanese Defence Force.

A highlight of the deployment will be Exercise Bersama Lima, a joint naval exercise between the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand as part of the Five Powers Defence Arrangement.

Before reaching the Far East, the ship will patrol in the Red Sea and the Gulf, protecting civilian shipping from piracy and terrorist activity.

These operations are part of an on-going effort by the Royal Navy and the British Government to support international efforts promoting stability and security in the Middle East.

HMS Argyll, with 230 crew members, will be the first Royal Navy warship to deploy with Sea Ceptor, a supersonic missile defense system developed for the Royal Navy by MBDA Missile Systems, a partnership between BAE Systems, EADS and Finmeccanica.

“This deployment, sharing the Royal Navy’s expertise and experience with our partners and allies right across the world, emphasises the UK’s commitment to promoting international security and stability,” Commander Toby Shaughnessy, commanding officer of HMS Argyll, said.