MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Argyll begins her West Africa and South Atlantic tour

HMS Argyll leaving Devonport base for the south

The Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll left on Monday from Devonport for the West African region and the South Atlantic to undertake a range of tasks in support of British interests worldwide. She replaces in her South Atlantic tour HMS Edinburgh, ‘Fortress of the Seas’ which is to be decommissioned next June.

Along West Africa HMS Argyll will be participating in counter-narcotics efforts and further south provide reassurance to UK territories and partners around the world. While in the South Atlantic she will be calling at the Falklands and South Georgia.

Since completing her previous deployment only 10 months ago, Argyll has been extremely busy conducting operations in home waters, including representing the Royal Navy at last year’s Armed Forces Day, at Belgium’s Navy Day and at a highly prestigious UK Trade and Investment initiative in Hamburg.

The crew has also undertaken an intensive period of training and maintenance to prepare for the tasks ahead.

The ship’s commanding officer, Commander Tim Neild said that as the vessel prepares to sail to the South Atlantic, “we can reflect on 10 months of hard work and preparation for this deployment in which my ship’s company have achieved fantastic results.

“This milestone however marks the beginning of a fresh challenge for Argyll and I am hugely confident that we will deliver success in all that is asked of us and in doing so will make a significant contribution to maritime security and British interests worldwide”.

On completion of her tasking in the Atlantic, the ship will undertake a number of high profile regional engagement visits in the Caribbean before returning to Devonport later this year, according to a release from the Royal Navy.

The third and current HMS Argyll is a Type 23 'Duke' Class frigate and is the oldest serving Type 23 frigate in the RN. HMS Argyll was laid down in March 1987 by Yarrow Shipbuilders at Glasgow, launched in 1989 by Lady Wendy Levene, and commissioned in May 1991. It is planned that she will retire in 2023.