Duke Class

Improved for modern missions

Also known as the Type 23 frigate, the Duke Class comprises of 11 ships (HMS Argyll, Lancaster, Iron Duke, Westminster, Northumberland, Richmond, Somerset, Sutherland, Kent, Portland and St Albans) that were originally designed for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War. Their technology and weaponry have since been updated to handle virtually any threat.

HMS Lancaster at sea, viewed from directly above

Statistics

Displacement

4,900 tonnes

Length

133 metres

Speed

28 knots

Range

7,800 nautical miles

Firepower for any situation

Head and shoulder of officer wearing ear defenders firing SA80 assualt rifle out to sea

Small calibre guns

All warships carry small-calibre weapons such as the SA80 for surface and airborne targets. They are manually operated by gun crews on the upper deck, offering versatility in calibre and complexity.

Gun on the HMS Lancaster fires a 4.5inch round out to sea

Heavy Bombardment

All Royal Navy frigates and destroyers carry the 4.5-inch MK8 medium calibre gun (MCG), situated at the forecastle. Providing artillery bombardment of shore targets, this gun packs a powerful punch and can fire up to 24 high explosive shells per minute (each weighing 40kg) at targets between ten and 18 miles away.

HMS Iron Duke firing a missile out to sea

Surface missiles

To combat enemy ships, all Duke Class vessels are equipped with Harpoon long-range anti-ship missiles. Using a combination of inertial guidance and active radar to attack its prey, Harpoon missiles carry a large explosive warhead and are powered by a lightweight turbojet to hit speeds of Mach 0.9.

Anti-air missile fired off the deck of the HMS Argyll

Anti-air missiles

Sea Ceptor is the cutting-edge air defence system on Britain’s frigates. It has the capability to defend an area of 500 square miles and engage multiple targets simultaneously. With high-speed missiles launched from its distinctive silo, Sea Ceptor can effectively destroy airborne threats and small surface targets.

Units and squadrons

Discover the global operations and base of the Royal Navy ship units. Track our missions, explore facts and figures, and check our current and past deployment locations.