The Black Duke once again ready for tasking

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 on Friday 18 September 15.

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.

The Commanding Officer, Cdr Philip Tilden said: “To get this far, on time and ready for future tasking has taken a significant effort from not only the skilled and motivated people that I am honoured to work alongside, but also from our partners in this enterprise, most notably Babcock Marine.  

"‘The Black Duke’ is now materially world class and after a period of training and consolidation is looking forward to doing our bit towards protecting the nation’s interests well into the next decade."

HMS Monmouth

What I have seen today has impressed me and is indicative of the spirit and effort of the people of the Royal Navy.
Captain Gordon Abernethy

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.

Captain Gordon Abernethy, Captain Surface Ships in the Devonport Flotilla, conducted HMS Monmouth’s formal inspection and on completion remarked “What I have seen today has impressed me and is indicative of the spirit and effort of the people of the Royal Navy.  

"This is the culmination of a long road for HMS Monmouth and I am confident that the Ship, and her Ship’s Company, are ready for the challenges that will face them over the coming months as they complete the intensive training package we put all our platforms through before we send them on operations”

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.

 Source: Royal Navy.