Deteriorating Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose leaves Portsmouth for last time amid reports of being 'scrapped'

A retired Royal Navy frigate in deteriorating condition was towed away from Portsmouth for the last time.

Former Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose was brought out of HMNB Portsmouth in the early morning sunshine (July 15). She was towed out of the North Corner Jetty and past The Round Tower in Old Portsmouth just after 7am.

A small cluster of naval enthusiasts gathered to take pictures of the warship that served with pride for 30 years. Her condition has declined since her decommissioning ceremony at HMNB Portsmouth in April 2023.

Much of her hull was rusted, she has been stripped of various parts, and her F236 pennant number had worn away. The Duke-class vessel was in a similar state to her sister ship HMS Northumberland, which was brought into Portsmouth Naval Base on May 29, 2025. She was retired after being declared unseaworthy.

Hulls on the Type 23 frigates were only designed to last for 18 years, but many of the ships reached three decades of service - deployed persistently in British waters and around the world. HMS Montrose was no different, with her last deployment being in the Middle East conducting drug-busts, anti-piracy operations, and safeguarding missions.

She was the first of her class to be involved in 10 narcotics busts, with more than 16 tonnes of illegal substances being seized. The ship’s company also intercepted illegal weapons shipments – confiscating Iranian missiles believed to be bound for Yemen in July 2022 – and protected ships such as MV British Heritage which was being threatened by Iranian ships in the strait of Hormuz.

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After HMS Montrose was retired, she was put up for sale by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), where she failed to attract any interest. At the time, the Royal Navy said discussions regarding her future were ongoing. She spent years sitting close-by to HMNB Portsmouth in Fareham Creek and elsewhere, waiting to be disposed of.

Specialist publication Navy Lookout said: “Ex-HMS Montrose being readied for towing to Turkey for scrapping. Due to leave Portsmouth for the final time.” The Royal Navy has been approached for further details regarding the future of the frigate.

HMS Richmond and HMS Iron Duke were officially retired this week. The both spent 2026 on the side-lines amid reports that they would be decommissioned due to their deteriorating condition. Alongside HMS Chiddingfold, the trio of vessels served in the Royal Navy for more than a century. The force now has five active frigates.