Turkey has officially acquired the sixth Duke-class frigate from the Royal Navy, a significant move that follows the decommissioning of the HMS Monmouth (F235). Originally commissioned in 1993, the vessel had surpassed its intended service life, making further repairs and overhauls increasingly expensive and impractical.
As part of a broader initiative by the UK government to promote sustainability, the HMS Monmouth will not be disposed of in a traditional manner but will instead be recycled in Turkey. This strategy aligns with efforts to responsibly manage and repurpose materials from decommissioned military assets.
The ship has been sold to Leyal Gemi Sokum Sanayi Ve Ticaret, a materials processing and salvage company based in Izmir, following a competitive bidding process involving European recycling yards. Richard Whalley, the UK Defence Equipment & Support Exports and Sales Head, who himself served aboard the Monmouth during its early years, characterized Turkey’s acquisition as a “fitting end” for a vessel that made significant contributions to the Royal Navy.
Whalley expressed a sense of nostalgia regarding the ship’s departure, stating, “It is always a sad day when you see a ship that was a significant part of your life heading for disposal, but I am happy at least that the sale of HMS Monmouth for recycling in Turkey will provide an ethical and responsible method of recovering metals and other valuable assets which provides a financial return for the Royal Navy.”
The Duke-class, also known as Type 23 frigates, was introduced in 1987 and consisted of 16 ships in total. With the HMS Monmouth’s retirement, the British government is focused on developing a new generation of vessels. Currently, eight new City-class (Type 26) frigates are being constructed in Glasgow to take over the operational roles held by the aging Duke-class.
These next-generation frigates will not only continue the anti-submarine warfare capabilities provided by their predecessors but will also feature advanced systems designed for a variety of modern naval warfare tasks, enhancing nuclear deterrent capabilities and providing essential support for carrier strike groups.
In addition, the City-class frigates will work in tandem with five Inspiration-class (Type 31) frigates, which are also under construction in Scotland. The Type 31 vessels are intended to fill the general-purpose role being vacated by the Duke-class, engaging in missions that include maritime interception, intelligence gathering, defense engagement, and allied support.
BAE Systems is managing the assembly of both the City and Inspiration classes, with delivery timelines extending into the 2030s, marking a pivotal period in the modernization of the UK Royal Navy’s fleet.
