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{{short description|1995 Type 23 or Duke-class frigate of the Royal Navy}}
{| border="1" align="right" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300"
{{other ships|HMS Richmond}}
|colspan="2"|]

|-
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
!style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|Career
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
!style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|]
{{Infobox ship image
|-
| Ship image = HMS Richmond with Dutch NH-90 Helicopter MOD 45155882.jpg
|Ordered:
| Ship caption = HMS ''Richmond'', 2013
|December ]
}}
|-
{{Infobox ship career
|Laid down:
| Hide header =
|] ]
| Ship country = ]
|-
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Launched:
| Ship name = HMS ''Richmond''
|] ]
| Ship operator = ]
|-
| Ship ordered = December 1989
|Commissioned:
| Ship builder = ], ], United Kingdom
|] ]
| Ship yard number =
|-
| Ship awarded =
|Decommissioned:
| Ship laid down = 16 February 1992
|
| Ship launched = 6 April 1993
|-
| Ship sponsor = Lady Hill-Norton
|Fate:
|{{Ship fate box active in service}} | Ship christened =
| Ship completed =
|-
| Ship acquired =
|Struck:
| Ship commissioned = 22 June 1995
|
| Ship recommissioned =
|-
| Ship decommissioned =
!colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|General Characteristics
| Ship in service =
|-
| Ship out of service =
|Displacement:
| Ship renamed =
|4,900 tonnes
| Ship reclassified =
|-
| Ship refit = LIFEX 2017-2019
|Length:
| Ship struck =
|133 m (463 ft)
| Ship reinstated =
|-
| Ship homeport = ], ]
|Beam:
| Ship identification = *{{IMO Number|8949678}}
|16.1 m (52.9 ft)
*{{MMSI Number|234630000}}
|-
*]: GCOJ
|Draught:
| Ship motto = *''A Deo et Rege''
|7.3 m
*("From God and the King")
|-
| Ship nickname =
|Propulsion:
| Ship honours =
|] (Combined Diesel-eLectric And Gas)<br>2 ] boost gas-turbines<br>4 ] ] diesel engines<br>2 GEC electric motors
| Ship captured =
|-
| Ship fate =
|Speed:
| Ship status = {{Ship in active service}}
|28 knots, 15 knots on diesel-electric
| Ship notes =
|-
| Ship badge = ]
|Range:
}}
|7,800 miles at 15 knots
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|-
| Hide header =
|Complement:
| Header caption =
|185
| Ship class = ]
|-
| Ship type =
|Armament:
| Ship tonnage =
|2 ] ] quad launchers<br>Vertical launch system ]s<br>] ] gun<br>2 ] 30 mm guns<br>4 ] torpedo tubes<br>] and DFL3 decoy launchers
| Ship displacement = {{convert|4900|t|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/ships/frigates/type-23-frigate |title=Type 23 frigate |website=Royal Navy |access-date=4 April 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Ship length = {{convert|133|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Aircraft:
| Ship beam = {{convert|16.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|] HMA8
| Ship height =
|-
| Ship draught = {{convert|7.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Motto:
| Ship draft =
|
| Ship depth =
| Ship hold depth =
| Ship decks =
| Ship deck clearance =
| Ship ramps =
| Ship ice class =
| Ship power =
| Ship propulsion = * ]:
*Four {{convert|1650|kW|shp}} ] 12V4000 M53 diesel generators
*Two ] ]s delivering 2980kW (4000 shp)
*Two ] SM1C delivering 23,190&nbsp;kW (31,100 shp)
| Ship sail plan =
| Ship speed = In excess of {{convert|28|kn|abbr=on|lk=in}}
| Ship range = {{convert|7500|nmi|km|lk=in|-3}} at {{convert|15|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}
| Ship endurance =
| Ship test depth =
| Ship boats =
| Ship capacity =
| Ship troops =
| Ship complement = 185 (accommodation for up to 205)
| Ship crew =
| Ship time to activate =
| Ship sensors =
| Ship EW = * UAF-1 ESM, ''or'', UAT Mod 1
* ]
* Type 182 towed torpedo decoy
* ]
| Ship armament = *''Anti-air missiles:''
**1 × 32-cell ] for:
**32 × ] missiles (1–25+&nbsp;km)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edrmagazine.eu/royal-navy-unveiled-sea-ceptor-and-launched-first-user-group-at-dsei-2017|title = Royal Navy unveiled Sea Ceptor and launched first user group at DSEI 2017}}</ref>
*''Anti-ship missiles:''
**2 × quad ] (originally fit, retired 2023);<ref>{{cite web |date=19 December 2023 |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/first-nsm-fit-on-rn-type-23-frigate |title=First NSM fit on RN Type 23 frigate |website=Janes |last=Scott |first=Richard |access-date=23 April 2024}}</ref><ref name=navylookoutAS>{{cite web |date=August 26, 2021 |url=https://www.navylookout.com/contenders-for-the-royal-navys-interim-anti-ship-missile-requirement/ |title=Contenders for the Royal Navy's interim anti-ship missile requirement |website=navylookout.com |access-date=October 31, 2021}}</ref> may be fit with ] in due course<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1736708119323893959?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet|title=@NavyLookout First view of Royal Navy warship equipped with the Naval Strike Missile. |number=1736708119323893959 |user=NavyLookout |author=Navy Lookout |date=18 December 2023 |access-date=18 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=23 November 2022 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-navy-ships-to-be-fitted-with-advanced-new-missile-system |title=Royal Navy ships to be fitted with advanced new missile system |work=] |access-date=25 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Scott |first=Richard |date=February 16, 2022 |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-confirms-cancellation-of-i-ssgw-programme |title=UK confirms cancellation of I-SSGW programme |work=] |access-date=February 20, 2022}}</ref>
*''Anti-submarine torpedoes:''
**2 × twin 12.75{{nbsp}}in (324{{nbsp}}mm) ] tubes
*''Guns:''
**1 × ] ]
**2 × ], ''or'', 2 × 30{{nbsp}}mm DS30B guns
**2 × ]s (may be replaced by ] as of 2023)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/in-focus-the-50-cal-heavy-machine-gun-in-royal-navy-service/ |title=In focus: the 50 cal heavy machine gun in Royal Navy service |publisher=Navy Lookout |date=5 May 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref>
**4 × ]
| Ship armour =
| Ship aircraft = * 1 × ], armed with:
** 4 × ] anti-ship missiles (full operating capability projected from 2026),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navys-sea-venom-light-anti-ship-missile-full-operating-capability-delayed-until-2026/|title = Royal Navy's Sea Venom light anti-ship missile full operating capability delayed until 2026 |website=Navy Lookout |date=21 June 2023}}</ref> ''or'',
** 2 × ] anti-submarine torpedoes, ''or''
** 20 × ] multirole missiles (from 2021)
** Mk 11 depth charges
*''or''
*1 × ], armed with;
* 4 × anti submarine torpedoes
| Ship aircraft facilities = * Flight deck
* Enclosed ]
| Ship notes =
}}
|} |}
'''HMS ''Richmond'' (F239)''' is a ] ] of the ] (RN). She was launched on the on ] ] by Lady Hill-Norton, and ''Richmond'' was the last (as of ]) ship to be built by ].


'''HMS ''Richmond''''' is a ] of the ]. She was launched on 6 April 1993 by Lady Hill-Norton, wife of the late ], and was the last warship to be built by ]. She sailed from the builders on the River Tyne in November 1994. She is named for the ].
''Richmond'' commenced her first deployment in ] when she deployed to the ] as part of the 'Ocean Wave 97' Task Group. The ship visited numerous ports but one of the most interesting was a visit to the ]n port of ], an important Russian naval base. The visit was noteworthy due to the fact that it was the first visit by a Royal Navy vessel in over 100 years. Also that year ''Richmond'' escorted the ] ] on the ship's final leg of her final tour of the ] prior to the decommissioning of ''Britannia''.


==Operational history==
In ] ''Richmond'' participated in two significant ] naval exercises and subsequently arrived in ] where she was involved in the US Navy Fleet Week. The following year ''Richmond'' was dispatched to the South Atlantic as part of ] and later underwent a major overhaul which concluded in ] and ''Richmond'' duly rejoined the Fleet. The following year ''Richmond'' joined the NATO multi-national squadron ]. In ] she arrived in the Caribbean where she performed numerous tasks including the obligatory "fly-the-flag" duties to the ] countries in the region as-well as undergoing trials.
===1995–2000===
{{stack|
]
] missile]]
], Iraq]]
}}
''Richmond'' was first deployed in 1997 to the ] as part of the 'Ocean Wave 97' Task Group. One of the most interesting visits she made was to the ]n port of ], an important Russian naval base, where she became the first Royal Navy vessel to visit in over 100 years. Also that year ''Richmond'' escorted the ] {{ship|HMY|Britannia}} on the ship's final leg of her final tour of the United Kingdom prior to her decommissioning.


In 1998 ''Richmond'' participated in two significant ] naval exercises and arrived in ] where she was involved in the US Navy Fleet Week. In 1999 ''Richmond'' was dispatched to the South Atlantic as part of ] and underwent a major overhaul which concluded in 2000.
In ] she, under the command of Commander ], deployed to the ] on ] where ''Richmond'' relieved ] in that region. She had arrived shortly before the commencement of the ]. Upon the beginning of hostilities, ''Richmond'' and HM ships ] and ] and ] of the ] provided Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) during the ] ], the first amphibious assault by the Marines since the ] in ]. ''Richmond'' remained in the region upon the conclusion of the war and returned home in August.


===2001–2010===
In July 2004 ''Richmond'', commanded by Commander ], deployed on ] which encompasses the ] and ] regions. She visited numerous ports early on in the deployment, including ] and ]. In September ''Richmond'' came to the assistance of the ] when the region was struck by ] though fortunately the Turks and Caicos Islands suffered only minimal damage to buildings. ''Richmond'' subsequently sailed to ], ] where she resumed her maintenance period which had been interrupted due to Hurricane Frances though did remain on standby to provide assistance due to the imminent arrival of ].
In 2001 ''Richmond'' joined the NATO multi-national squadron ]. In 2002 she arrived in the Caribbean where she performed tasks including obligatory "fly-the-flag" duties to the ] countries in the region as well as undergoing trials. In June 2002, two officers were killed when ''Richmond''{{'}}s ] off the coast of Virginia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2046318.stm |title=Navy investigators head for crash scene |date=15 June 2002 |publisher=] |access-date=31 August 2014}}</ref>


In 2003 she deployed to the ] on ] where she relieved {{HMS|Cardiff|D108|6}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3706/changeNav/3533 |title=News and Events |website=Royal Navy |access-date=4 March 2008}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> She had arrived shortly before the ]. When hostilities began, ''Richmond'', HM ships {{HMS|Chatham|F87|2}}, {{HMS|Marlborough|F233|2}} and {{HMAS|Anzac|FFH 150|6}} of the ] provided Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) during the ]' ], the first amphibious assault by the Marines since the ] in 1982. ''Richmond'' remained in the region at the war's end and returned home in August.
Hurricane Ivan eventually hit the region, causing significant damage and fatalities, particularly inflicting enormous damage and unfortunately a number of fatalities to ], which included immense damage to the capital ]. ''Richmond'' and her accompanying ] vessel ] came to the assistance of the island. The extent of the damage in Grenada reached such levels that the Prime Minister of Grenada ] was forced to relocate to ''Richmond'' after his residence was destroyed by the hurricane. The Prime Minister effectively ran his country from ''Richmond'' for several hours.


In July 2004 ''Richmond'' deployed on ], which encompasses the Atlantic and ] regions. Two of the ports she visited early in the deployment were ] and ]. In September ''Richmond'' came to the assistance of the ] when they were struck by ]. Turks and Caicos suffered only minimal damage to buildings. ''Richmond'' then sailed to ], ] where she resumed her maintenance period, which had been interrupted due to the hurricane, but remained on standby to provide assistance due to the imminent arrival of ].
HMS ''Richmond'', its crew having performed vital assistance on land at Grenada, steamed at her top speed for Jamaica to assist that country from the ravages of Hurricane Ivan. She is expected to reach Jamaica by Sunday 12 September.


Hurricane Ivan eventually hit the region, causing significant damage and fatalities, particularly inflicting enormous damage and a number of fatalities to ], which included immense damage to the capital ]. ''Richmond'' and her accompanying ] vessel {{ship|RFA|Wave Ruler|A390|2}} came to the assistance of the island. The extent of the damage in Grenada reached such levels that ], Prime Minister of Grenada, was forced to relocate to ''Richmond'' after his residence was destroyed by the hurricane. The Prime Minister effectively ran his country from ''Richmond'' for several hours.
''Richmond'' returned from her deployment in December 2004, and commenced a refit period at ] in Mid 2005. She will return to the operational fleet in Mid-2006 as one of the most capable Type 23 frigates with many upgrades to her sensor and weapon systems.


Her crew having performed vital assistance on land at Grenada, ''Richmond'' steamed at her top speed for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to assist those territories in recovering from the ravages of Hurricane Ivan.
See ] for other ships of the same name.
{{Type 23 frigate}}


''Richmond'' returned from her deployment in December 2004, and began a refit period at ] in mid-2005. The refit, undertaken by ], was completed in late 2006 and ''Richmond'' was returned to the operational fleet in October 2006. With 44 major upgrades to her sensor and weapon systems, ''Richmond'' was at that time one of the most capable Type 23 frigates.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.fleet-support.co.uk/Docs/FirstBase/firstbase-winter2006.pdf |title=Fresh-faced ''Richmond'' re-dedicated to the Fleet |date=December 2006 |magazine=firstBASE |page=7 |publisher=] |access-date=3 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809192438/http://www.fleet-support.co.uk/Docs/FirstBase/firstbase-winter2006.pdf |archive-date=9 August 2007}}</ref> From 5 to 12 July 2010 she anchored beside {{HMS|Belfast||6}} in London to foster the ship's relations with the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/4659 |title=HMS ''Richmond'' arrives in the Pool of London |date=5 July 2010 |website=London SE1 |access-date=5 April 2019}}</ref>
]

===2011–2019===
]
In 2011, she deployed to the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region, the latter for upcoming ] exercises, specifically Exercise Bersama Shield 11.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1215-richmond-enjoys-some-happy-torque-in-the-far-east.aspx |title=''Richmond'' enjoys some happy torque in the Far East |newspaper=]}} {{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> She assisted with anti-piracy operations with the EU Naval Force and was also a participant in the IMEX Asia 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/HmsRichmondDeploysOnCounterpiracyMission.htm |author=Ministry of Defence |title=HMS ''Richmond'' deploys on counter-piracy mission |date=5 January 2011 |website=] |access-date=5 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cornwallcommunitynews.co.uk/2011/05/10/navy-take-on-pirates-real-ones/ |title=Navy Takes on Pirates (Real Ones) |date=10 May 2011 |website=Cornwall Community News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513134031/http://www.cornwallcommunitynews.co.uk/2011/05/10/navy-take-on-pirates-real-ones/ |archive-date=13 May 2011}}</ref> After Singapore, she rendered honours to the fallen of ] (see the ]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1203-richmond-honours-the-dead-of-force-z.aspx |title=''Richmond'' honours the dead of Force Z |newspaper=Navy News}} {{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> She took part in exercise FRUKUS 2011 with ships from the ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/06/01/51118143.html |title=Russian warship heads out for joint maneuvers |date=1 June 2011 |website=] |access-date=1 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906022428/http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/06/01/51118143.html |archive-date=6 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In early August 2013, she deployed as the Royal Navy's Atlantic Patrol South where she carried out Maritime Security Patrols in the ]. HMS ''Richmond'' returned to the UK in February 2014. This deployment involved high-profile defence engagement visits to five continents and resulted in the ship receiving Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands Commendation for Distinguished Service. Of note, during her seven months away ''Richmond'' conducted visits to five British Dependent Overseas Territories including ], ], the Falklands, ] and ]. During this deployment ''Richmond'' became the first Royal Navy warship to transit the ] in its centenary year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/August/05/130805-HMS-Richmond-deploys |title=HMS ''Richmond'' deploys on Atlantic patrol tasking |date=5 August 2013 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=4 April 2019}}</ref>

In October 2015 ''Richmond'' was deployed to the Mediterranean to aid the EU's fight against people smugglers due to refugees fleeing civil war in Syria. She returned to her home port on 11 December 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/december/11/151211-hms-richmond-home |title=Drug-busting and life-saving HMS ''Richmond'' returns home from nine-month deployment |date=11 December 2015 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=4 April 2019}}</ref>

In October 2016 ''Richmond'' and the ] {{HMS|Duncan|D37|6}} were dispatched by the ] to intercept and "man-mark" a fleet of Russian Navy vessels, including their ] {{ship|Russian aircraft carrier|Admiral Kuznetsov||2}} passing through the English Channel on their way to ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37725327 |title=Russian warships pass through English Channel |date=21 October 2016 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=21 October 2016}}</ref>

On 6 January 2017, ''Richmond'' featured in Series 1, episode 9 of '']''. The ship and her weaponry star in a sequence where ] and ] commandeer the 4.5-inch Mark 8 naval gun to destroy an armoured vehicle manufactured by ]. In June 2017, ''Richmond'' docked at ] on the ] to mark 350 years since the ]. ''Richmond'' entered refit at Devonport in the late summer of 2017. In November it was announced that on completion of the work in 2018 she will not return to Portsmouth and will switch base port to Plymouth in an effort to concentrate the Type 23s fitted with anti-submarine equipment in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/november/24/171124-defence-secretary-announces-type-23-base-port-moves |title=Defence Secretary announces Type 23 base port moves |website=Royal Navy |date=24 November 2017 |access-date=28 November 2017}}</ref> The refit saw the ship become the first Type 23 to be fitted with ] M53B diesel generators - these will be fitted to the remainder of the class (except {{HMS|Argyll|F231|2}} and {{HMS|Lancaster|F229|2}}), as well as the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/new-engines-for-the-royal-navys-type-23-frigates/ |title=New engines for the Royal Navy's Type 23 Frigates |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=27 June 2018 |website=Save the Royal Navy |access-date= 9 April 2020}}</ref>

===2020–present===
In February 2020, ''Richmond'' went to sea to for post-refit tests. These included the new PGMU propulsion system (MTU M53B generators) and the new ] air defence system, replacing the 1970s ] system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/frigate-hms-richmond-trials-new-engines/|title=Frigate HMS Richmond trials new engines|last=Allison|first=George|date=2020-04-09|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-19}}</ref>

The ship deployed as part of ], alongside sister ship {{HMS|Kent|F78|6}}, travelling from the UK to ], the ], and the ] in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/composition-of-uk-carrier-strike-group-confirmed/|title=Composition of UK Carrier Strike Group confirmed|date=1 April 2021|access-date=27 October 2021}}</ref>

In early September 2022, ''Richmond'' along with sister ships {{HMS|Westminster|F237|6}} and {{HMS|Lancaster|F229|6}} tracked the {{ship|Russian cruiser|Marshal Ustinov}}, {{ship|Russian destroyer|Vice-Admiral Kulakov}} and the tanker ''Vyazma'' as they sailed near UK waters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Osborne |first1=Samuel |title=Ukraine war: Royal Navy shadows Russian warships as they pass near UK waters |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-royal-navy-shadows-russian-warships-as-they-pass-near-uk-waters-12691293 |access-date=24 September 2022 |publisher=Sky News |date=6 September 2022}}</ref> In 2022, ''Richmond'' spent 145 days at sea.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allison |first1=George |title=Data reveals number of days warships spent at sea last year |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/data-reveals-number-of-days-warships-spent-at-sea-last-year/ |access-date=13 July 2023 |publisher=UK Defence Journal |date=1 June 2023}}</ref>

In January 2024 ''Richmond'' was sent to the ] to join destroyer {{HMS|Diamond|D34|6}} and sister-frigate HMS ''Lancaster'' in defending against attacks on commercial shipping by ]ian-backed ] rebels based in ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/third-royal-navy-ship-red-sea-combat-houthi-attacks-shapps-reveals-2843060|title=Third Royal Navy ship sent to Red Sea to combat Houthi attacks, Shapps reveals|first=Jane|last=Merrick|date=8 January 2024|website=inews.co.uk}}</ref> and on 9 March 2024 the ] announced that ''Richmond'' had successfully intercepted two attack drones.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shapps |first=Grant |date=9 March 2024 |title=HMS Richmond Repelled Attack - Secretary of State for Defence |url=https://twitter.com/grantshapps/status/1766495213038490027?s=20 |work=X}}</ref>

==Affiliations==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

== See also ==
* ]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Type 23 frigate}}
{{Royal Navy ships}}


] {{DEFAULTSORT:Richmond}}
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 17:43, 5 November 2024

1995 Type 23 or Duke-class frigate of the Royal Navy For other ships with the same name, see HMS Richmond.

HMS Richmond, 2013
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Richmond
OperatorRoyal Navy
OrderedDecember 1989
BuilderSwan Hunter, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Laid down16 February 1992
Launched6 April 1993
Sponsored byLady Hill-Norton
Commissioned22 June 1995
RefitLIFEX 2017-2019
HomeportHMNB Devonport, Plymouth
Identification
Motto
  • A Deo et Rege
  • ("From God and the King")
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeType 23 Frigate
Displacement4,900 t (4,800 long tons; 5,400 short tons)
Length133 m (436 ft 4 in)
Beam16.1 m (52 ft 10 in)
Draught7.3 m (23 ft 11 in)
Propulsion
SpeedIn excess of 28 kn (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Range7,500 nautical miles (14,000 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
Complement185 (accommodation for up to 205)
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried
  • 1 × Wildcat HMA2, armed with:
    • 4 × Sea Venom anti-ship missiles (full operating capability projected from 2026), or,
    • 2 × Sting Ray anti-submarine torpedoes, or
    • 20 × Martlet multirole missiles (from 2021)
    • Mk 11 depth charges
  • or
  • 1 × Westland Merlin HM2, armed with;
  • 4 × anti submarine torpedoes
Aviation facilities

HMS Richmond is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 6 April 1993 by Lady Hill-Norton, wife of the late Admiral of the Fleet The Lord Hill-Norton, and was the last warship to be built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders. She sailed from the builders on the River Tyne in November 1994. She is named for the Dukedom of Richmond.

Operational history

1995–2000

HMS Richmond in Portsmouth Naval Base
Richmond launching an AGM-84 Harpoon missile
Richmond patrolling near the Al Basra Oil Terminal, Iraq

Richmond was first deployed in 1997 to the Far East as part of the 'Ocean Wave 97' Task Group. One of the most interesting visits she made was to the Russian port of Vladivostok, an important Russian naval base, where she became the first Royal Navy vessel to visit in over 100 years. Also that year Richmond escorted the royal yacht HMY Britannia on the ship's final leg of her final tour of the United Kingdom prior to her decommissioning.

In 1998 Richmond participated in two significant NATO naval exercises and arrived in New York where she was involved in the US Navy Fleet Week. In 1999 Richmond was dispatched to the South Atlantic as part of Atlantic Patrol Task (South) and underwent a major overhaul which concluded in 2000.

2001–2010

In 2001 Richmond joined the NATO multi-national squadron Standing Naval Force Mediterranean. In 2002 she arrived in the Caribbean where she performed tasks including obligatory "fly-the-flag" duties to the Commonwealth countries in the region as well as undergoing trials. In June 2002, two officers were killed when Richmond's Lynx helicopter crashed off the coast of Virginia.

In 2003 she deployed to the Persian Gulf on Armilla Patrol where she relieved HMS Cardiff. She had arrived shortly before the 2003 Iraq War. When hostilities began, Richmond, HM ships Chatham, Marlborough and HMAS Anzac of the Royal Australian Navy provided Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) during the Royal Marines' amphibious assault of the Al Faw Peninsula, the first amphibious assault by the Marines since the Falklands War in 1982. Richmond remained in the region at the war's end and returned home in August.

In July 2004 Richmond deployed on Atlantic Patrol Task (North), which encompasses the Atlantic and Caribbean regions. Two of the ports she visited early in the deployment were Jamaica and Belize. In September Richmond came to the assistance of the Turks and Caicos Islands when they were struck by Hurricane Frances. Turks and Caicos suffered only minimal damage to buildings. Richmond then sailed to Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles where she resumed her maintenance period, which had been interrupted due to the hurricane, but remained on standby to provide assistance due to the imminent arrival of Hurricane Ivan.

Hurricane Ivan eventually hit the region, causing significant damage and fatalities, particularly inflicting enormous damage and a number of fatalities to Grenada, which included immense damage to the capital St. George's. Richmond and her accompanying Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Wave Ruler came to the assistance of the island. The extent of the damage in Grenada reached such levels that Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, was forced to relocate to Richmond after his residence was destroyed by the hurricane. The Prime Minister effectively ran his country from Richmond for several hours.

Her crew having performed vital assistance on land at Grenada, Richmond steamed at her top speed for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to assist those territories in recovering from the ravages of Hurricane Ivan.

Richmond returned from her deployment in December 2004, and began a refit period at HM Naval Base Portsmouth in mid-2005. The refit, undertaken by Fleet Support Limited, was completed in late 2006 and Richmond was returned to the operational fleet in October 2006. With 44 major upgrades to her sensor and weapon systems, Richmond was at that time one of the most capable Type 23 frigates. From 5 to 12 July 2010 she anchored beside HMS Belfast in London to foster the ship's relations with the Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames.

2011–2019

HMS Richmond moored at South Quay in London in 2017

In 2011, she deployed to the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region, the latter for upcoming Five Power Defence Arrangement exercises, specifically Exercise Bersama Shield 11. She assisted with anti-piracy operations with the EU Naval Force and was also a participant in the IMEX Asia 2011. After Singapore, she rendered honours to the fallen of Force Z (see the Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse). She took part in exercise FRUKUS 2011 with ships from the United States Navy and Russian Navy.

In early August 2013, she deployed as the Royal Navy's Atlantic Patrol South where she carried out Maritime Security Patrols in the Falkland Islands. HMS Richmond returned to the UK in February 2014. This deployment involved high-profile defence engagement visits to five continents and resulted in the ship receiving Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands Commendation for Distinguished Service. Of note, during her seven months away Richmond conducted visits to five British Dependent Overseas Territories including Ascension Island, St Helena, the Falklands, South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha. During this deployment Richmond became the first Royal Navy warship to transit the Panama Canal in its centenary year.

In October 2015 Richmond was deployed to the Mediterranean to aid the EU's fight against people smugglers due to refugees fleeing civil war in Syria. She returned to her home port on 11 December 2015.

In October 2016 Richmond and the destroyer HMS Duncan were dispatched by the Ministry of Defence to intercept and "man-mark" a fleet of Russian Navy vessels, including their flagship Admiral Kuznetsov passing through the English Channel on their way to Syria.

On 6 January 2017, Richmond featured in Series 1, episode 9 of The Grand Tour. The ship and her weaponry star in a sequence where James May and Jeremy Clarkson commandeer the 4.5-inch Mark 8 naval gun to destroy an armoured vehicle manufactured by Richard Hammond. In June 2017, Richmond docked at Chatham on the Medway to mark 350 years since the Raid on the Medway. Richmond entered refit at Devonport in the late summer of 2017. In November it was announced that on completion of the work in 2018 she will not return to Portsmouth and will switch base port to Plymouth in an effort to concentrate the Type 23s fitted with anti-submarine equipment in the city. The refit saw the ship become the first Type 23 to be fitted with MTU M53B diesel generators - these will be fitted to the remainder of the class (except Argyll and Lancaster), as well as the Type 26.

2020–present

In February 2020, Richmond went to sea to for post-refit tests. These included the new PGMU propulsion system (MTU M53B generators) and the new Sea Ceptor air defence system, replacing the 1970s Sea Wolf system.

The ship deployed as part of United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group 21, alongside sister ship HMS Kent, travelling from the UK to Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and the South China Sea in 2021.

In early September 2022, Richmond along with sister ships HMS Westminster and HMS Lancaster tracked the Russian cruiser Marshal Ustinov, Russian destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov and the tanker Vyazma as they sailed near UK waters. In 2022, Richmond spent 145 days at sea.

In January 2024 Richmond was sent to the Red Sea to join destroyer HMS Diamond and sister-frigate HMS Lancaster in defending against attacks on commercial shipping by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen, and on 9 March 2024 the Secretary of State for Defence announced that Richmond had successfully intercepted two attack drones.

Affiliations

See also

References

  1. "Type 23 frigate". Royal Navy. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  2. "Royal Navy unveiled Sea Ceptor and launched first user group at DSEI 2017".
  3. Scott, Richard (19 December 2023). "First NSM fit on RN Type 23 frigate". Janes. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  4. "Contenders for the Royal Navy's interim anti-ship missile requirement". navylookout.com. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  5. Navy Lookout (18 December 2023). "@NavyLookout First view of Royal Navy warship equipped with the Naval Strike Missile" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  6. "Royal Navy ships to be fitted with advanced new missile system". gov.uk. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  7. Scott, Richard (16 February 2022). "UK confirms cancellation of I-SSGW programme". Janes Information Services. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  8. "In focus: the 50 cal heavy machine gun in Royal Navy service". Navy Lookout. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  9. "Royal Navy's Sea Venom light anti-ship missile full operating capability delayed until 2026". Navy Lookout. 21 June 2023.
  10. "Navy investigators head for crash scene". BBC News. 15 June 2002. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  11. "News and Events". Royal Navy. Retrieved 4 March 2008.
  12. "Fresh-faced Richmond re-dedicated to the Fleet" (PDF). firstBASE. HMNB Portsmouth. December 2006. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2007.
  13. "HMS Richmond arrives in the Pool of London". London SE1. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  14. "Richmond enjoys some happy torque in the Far East". Navy News.
  15. Ministry of Defence (5 January 2011). "HMS Richmond deploys on counter-piracy mission". Gov.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  16. "Navy Takes on Pirates (Real Ones)". Cornwall Community News. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011.
  17. "Richmond honours the dead of Force Z". Navy News.
  18. "Russian warship heads out for joint maneuvers". Sputnik. 1 June 2011. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  19. "HMS Richmond deploys on Atlantic patrol tasking". Royal Navy. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  20. "Drug-busting and life-saving HMS Richmond returns home from nine-month deployment". Royal Navy. 11 December 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  21. "Russian warships pass through English Channel". BBC News. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  22. "Defence Secretary announces Type 23 base port moves". Royal Navy. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  23. "New engines for the Royal Navy's Type 23 Frigates". Save the Royal Navy. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  24. Allison, George (9 April 2020). "Frigate HMS Richmond trials new engines". Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  25. "Composition of UK Carrier Strike Group confirmed". 1 April 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  26. Osborne, Samuel (6 September 2022). "Ukraine war: Royal Navy shadows Russian warships as they pass near UK waters". Sky News. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  27. Allison, George (1 June 2023). "Data reveals number of days warships spent at sea last year". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  28. Merrick, Jane (8 January 2024). "Third Royal Navy ship sent to Red Sea to combat Houthi attacks, Shapps reveals". inews.co.uk.
  29. Shapps, Grant (9 March 2024). "HMS Richmond Repelled Attack - Secretary of State for Defence". X.

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