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The Type-23 Frigate was decommissioned at Portsmouth Naval Base on April 17 in front of a crowd of invited guests and crew members past and present. Her flag was handed to Malcolm Rifkind, the husband of the ship’s original sponsor Lady Edith Rifkind, who died in 2019.
MORE LIKE THIS: HMS Montrose decommissioned in Portsmouth, Royal Navy warship HMS Montrose seizes huge £19m haul of drugs
HMS was launched on July 31, 1992, and commissioned on June 2, 1994. She was the first of her class to be forward deployed and is best known for her daring missions against those who threaten national security and huge drug busts.
This included seizing tonnes of narcotics of all different classes with a street value numbering in the millions. Commanding Officer Commander Claire Thompson OBE said the ship was ‘incredibly operationally successful’ throughout her time.
Here are nine key moments in HMS Montrose’s history.
5. £1.8m heroin haul seized in Gulf of Oman
HMS Montrose, a Duke-class Type-23 frigate, seized 90kg of heroin with an estimated UK street value of £1.8m on May 5, 2022. The frigate pounced on the stateless dhow and seized the illegal narcotics in a nine hour operation. Numerous sacks of Class A drugs were found. Photo: Lt Cdr Jones
6. Shipment of Iranian missiles intercepted
The British Government said HMS Montrose's crew seized a cluster of sophisticated Iranian missiles in early 2022. It is believed that the shipment was bound for Yemen in a bit to arm Houthi rebels against the Saudi-led military coalition. HMS Montrose's helicopter spotted two ships speeding away from the coast of Iran, with a team of Royal Marines searching the boats. Photo: Royal Navy
7. £15.5m crystal meth stash seized
A dhow carrying a massive haul of crystal meth was intercepted and seized in October 2022. The ship's Wildcat helicopter tracked the ship ahead of its interception. The 870kg haul of crystal methamphetamine was found in a secret compartment during a six hour operation. Photo: LPhot Rory Arnold
8. Commanding Officer receives OBE
HMS Montrose's crew have been critically acclaimed for their hard work and dedication throughout the years the frigate has been forward deployed. Commanding Officer Commander Claire Thompson was awarded an OBE. Cdr Thompson described it as an 'incredible honour' which represented the hard work of every one of her ship's company. Photo: Sarah Standing