From the period of 1985 until 1999, UK ship-building undertook construction of sixteen "Type 23" warships for both the Royal Navy and the Chilean Navy. Three were taken on by the latter while, for the former, a total of sixteen were commissioned. Among the number became HMS Montrose (F236) which was laid down by Marconi Marine on November 1st, 1989, launched on July 31st, 1992, and formally commissioned into service on June 2nd, 1994. The warship, a guided-missile frigate, maintains an active status in the British Royal Navy fleet today (2019).
The frigate is classified as an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) vessel though it is clearly capable of undertaking other defined roles including airspace denial, blue water patrolling, and escort. It carries a displacement of 5,000 tons and has a length of 436.3 feet, a beam of 52.9 feet, and a draught down to 23.10 feet.
The propulsion scheme is of COmbined Diesel-eLectric-And-Gas (CODLAG), utilizing the best traits of electric generators, diesel-, and gas-centric systems to improve on fuel efficiency. 4 x Paxman Valenta 12CM diesel generators are installed along with 2 x GEC electric motors of 4,000 horsepower and 2 x Rolls-Royce "Spey" SM1C turbines offering 31,100 horsepower. Maximum speed in ideal conditions can reach over 28 knots and range is a useful 7,500 nautical miles.
Aboard is a crew complement of 185 but the vessel can support a full complement of up to 205 personnel.
Its profile involves proven design methods complete with a single turreted deck gun over the forecastle, a 32-cell missile unit aft of the gun and ahead of the bridge superstructure, a low-profile fully-enclosed smoke funnel assembly near midships, and an aft-hull superstructure section stepping down to a full-service helipad. The warship can support one or two medium-lift rotorcraft through its combination landing pad / hangar facilities, these aircraft traditionally being equipped for the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) or anti-ship role but can undertake Search and Rescue (SAR), Over-the-Horizon (OtH) patrol sorties, and transport duties as needed. Supported helicopters are typically the Westland "Lynx" HMA.8 or Westland "Merlin" HM.2 types.
Armament for Type 23 warships involves 1 x 4.5" BAe Systems Mk.8 series turreted naval gun. A 32-cell "Sea Wolf" Vertical Launch System (VLS) is embedded in the forecastle and supports the launching of the "Sea Wolf" or the "Sea Ceptor" Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) families. In addition to this, the vessel is equipped with 2 x 30mm Mk.2 series guns, 2 x "Harpoon" anti-ship missile launchers in quadruple mountings, and 4 x 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) for extreme close-in defense. There is also support for a pair of 7.62mm miniguns for a ferocious close-defense capability. 2 x 324mm "Sting Ray" twin torpedo launchers are also installed.
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July 2019 - HMS Montrose was part of an incident involving the British-controlled oil tanker "Heritage" and three Iranian vessels attempting to seize it in the Straight of Hormuz. The Iranian boats retreated after warnings from Montrose whose weapons were said to be "at-the-ready".
HMS Norfolk (F230); HMS Marlborough (F233); HMS Argyll (F231); HMS Lancaster (F229); HMS Iron Duke (F234); HMS Monmouth (F235); HMS Montrose (F236); HMS Westminster (F237); HMS Northumberland (F238); HMS Richmond (F239); HMS Somerset (F82); HMS Grafton (F80); HMS Sutherland (F81); HMS Kent (F78); HMS Portland (F79); HMS St Albans (F83); CHILEAN NAVY: Almirante Cochrane (FF05); Almirante Condell (FF06); Almirante Lynch (FF07) Ships-in-Class
Offshore Bombardment
Offshore bombardment / attack of surface targets / areas primarily through onboard ballistic weaponry.
Land-Attack
Offshore strike of surface targets primarily through onboard missile / rocket weaponry.
Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.
Airspace Denial / Deterrence
Neutralization or deterrence of airborne elements through onboard ballistic of missile weaponry.
Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.
436.3 feet (132.98 meters) Length
52.9 feet (16.12 meters) Beam
23.1 feet (7.04 meters) Draught
5,400 tons Displacement
COmbined Diesel-eLectric-And-Gas (CODLAG): 4 x Paxman Valenta 12CM diesel generators with 2 x GEC electric motors supplying 4,000 horsepower and 2 x Rolls-Royce "Spey" SM1C turbines generating 31,100 horsepower driving 2 x Shafts astern. Propulsion
1 x 4.5" Mk 8 turreted main gun.
1 x 32-cell "Sea Wolf" GWS.26 Vertical Launch System (VLS) supporting Sea Wolf or Sea Ceptor Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs).
2 x Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers in quadruple mountings (eight total missiles).
2 x 30mm DS30M Mk.2 guns OR2 x 30mm DS30B guns.
2 x 324mm (12.75") "Sting Ray" torpedo tubes in twin-mountings (four total launchers).
2 x 7.62mm Gatling-style miniguns for close-in defense.
4 x 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) for close-in defence.
1 OR 2 x Westland Wildcat HMA.2 OR Westland Merlin HM.1 navy helicopter equipped for the anti-ship / anti-submarine role.
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