Royal Navy’s warship celebrates 1,000 days keeping Middle East sea lanes open

On 5 January, the Royal Navy’s warship HMS Montrose passed the 1,000-day milestone of keeping the Gulf sea lanes open and tackling drug smugglers.

HMS Montrose, a Type 23 frigate, together with 200 sailors and Royal Marines, has been constantly present in the Middle East since 11 April 2019, working with other British and allied vessels to safeguard shipping, keep sea lanes open and stop trafficking, the Royal Navy said.

Operating out of Bahrain, in her 1,000 days, the frigate has sailed 163,000 nautical miles, which is equal to more than 7.5 times around the globe, accompanied 112 vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and seized over 6,5 tons of illegal narcotics.

Montrose was also in numerous programs to deploy major Royal Navy warships around the world for several years at a time. Patrol ships have since been committed to the Caribbean, Mediterranean and, most recently, Asia-Pacific region on extended missions.

Commodore Ed Ahlgren, Commander UK Maritime Component Command, senior Royal Navy officer in the Middle East said: “I am delighted to mark 1000 days of HMS Montrose in theatre. She has had many successes whilst in the region, including narcotics seizures and maintaining free and safe passage for shipping around three of the busiest trade chokepoints in the world. Montrose and her crews should be proud of what they have achieved”.

HMS Montrose, along with HMS Monmouth, is on the track to be retired soon, according to written evidence submitted by Admiral Tony Radakin to the Defence Select Committee, UK, in November 2021.

As informed, the Royal Navy will retire the two Type 23 frigates saving around £100 million ($133 million).