Skip to content
Recruiting now.Explore navy careers

HMS Sutherland deploys to Far East

HMS Sutherland deploys
10 January 2018
The Royal Navy warship HMS Sutherland has sailed from her base port, HM Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth on a deployment to Australia, the Far East and the Gulf region.

HMS Sutherland deploysHMS Sutherland, affectionately known as the Fighting Clan, has left the United Kingdom for seven months, and is ready to conduct operations and exercises with a wide range of allies and partners. 

Commander Andrew Canale, the ship’s captain, said: “This is an opportunity for HMS Sutherland to demonstrate the global reach of the Royal Navy as well as the UK’s commitment to building relationships and maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

“A deployment of this nature means that we must be prepared to respond to any eventuality. I am very proud of the Ship’s Company and the many support organisations who have assisted HMS Sutherland to deploy two months ahead of her planned departure date. 

“Having just returned from Christmas leave, I am acutely aware of the sacrifices that our families are also making and I am grateful for their support as we embark on this period away from home.”   

Having just returned from Christmas leave, I am acutely aware of the sacrifices that our families are also making and I am grateful for their support as we embark on this period away from home

Commander Andrew Canale, Commanding Officer of HMS Sutherland

HMS Sutherland’s departure was witnessed by families who braved freezing temperatures to see the ship as she passed through Plymouth Sound.  Rear Admiral Simon Williams (Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel)) and Commodore Robert Bellfield Royal Navy (Commander Devonport Flotilla) visited the ship before she sailed to meet members of the crew and wish them well.

Sub-Lieutenant David Ferguson carries out navigation and watch-keeping on the ship’s bridge and is on his first deployment.  He said:  “I am really looking forward to the opportunities ahead. The chance to visit places that I have never been to is one of the main reasons why I joined the Royal Navy.”

Engineering Technician Josh Reed has been serving on board HMS Sutherland for three years.

He said: “I was originally going to leave the ship on the day before deployment but I requested to stay on board for longer. I’m really pleased that I am now staying to the end of the trip and I’m looking forward to visiting places that I haven’t been to before.” 

The deployment aims to strengthen already strong defence ties and demonstrating the UK’s commitment to the peace and prosperity of the region while visiting the Indian Ocean and Pacific.

The presence of the ship proves the UK’s global reach with world-wide interests and world-leading defence capability.

HMS Sutherland, a Type 23 frigate, will take part in maritime security patrols aimed at protecting vital trade routes as part of a long-standing 30-nation maritime force.

The Asia Pacific region is increasingly important to the UK for prosperity with more than one third of UK trade by value travels from the Far East and through various vulnerable maritime choke points.

HMS Sutherland emerged from a large refit in 2015 and has spent extended periods over the last two years conducting duties while on 24hour readiness to respond to a wide range of national tasking. 

The ship has also conducted extensive sea training to prepare her crew for deployment. 2017 was an especially eventful year for HMS Sutherland, escorting the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time and conducting trials for the Royal Navy’s new Tide class tankers.

Related articles

Navy News

Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.