Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth has marked the end of a 20 month refit following a successful Fleet Date Inspection in Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport today, September 18.
HMS Monmouth, known informally as ‘The Black Duke’ after James Scott, the Duke of Monmouth, has recently returned to Devonport following extensive sea trials where her array of upgraded weapon systems and sensors were fully proven and made ready for operational use.
HMS Monmouth entered refit at the beginning of 2014 and has seen a significant amount of structural work to her superstructure, which has included approximately 17 tonnes of new steel covering an area of 220 square metres and over 1.1km.
The sea trials period was used to fully test her engines, as well as trialling the latest updates to her weapons and sensors, including the new Type 997 medium range radar, 4.5 inch gun and Seawolf missile system.
HMS Monmouth will spend the next few months undertaking training and endorsement which will get her ready to be deployed on operations whenever and wherever tasked.
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Image: Royal Navy