We have had to wave goodbye to dozens of Royal Navy ships this century, that were either sold or scrapped. HMS Illustrious, a Portsmouth-based Invincible-class aircraft carrier that performed various duties in the aftermath of the Falklands War, was scrapped in 2016 despite the government in 2012 stating that she would be preserved.placeholder image
We have had to wave goodbye to dozens of Royal Navy ships this century, that were either sold or scrapped. HMS Illustrious, a Portsmouth-based Invincible-class aircraft carrier that performed various duties in the aftermath of the Falklands War, was scrapped in 2016 despite the government in 2012 stating that she would be preserved. | Royal Navy

38 Royal Navy ships we shed a tear and waved goodbye to in the 21st century after being sold or scrapped

Freddie Webb
By Freddie Webb

Defence Reporter

Published 9th Jul 2025, 15:39 BST

It can be an emotional moment for many when a Royal Navy ship moves on to pastures new.

Each vessel that flies the White Ensign has great affinity with those who served on them and the general public. Many Royal Navy ships bare the name of cities across the country, while also being affiliated to great naval bases such as Portsmouth.

The Royal Navy is looking to modernise its fleet and introduce new capabilities to replace the ones that are going out. Armed forces minister Luke Pollard previously stressed this in a Defence Select Committee meeting yesterday, stressing that there will be transition period for the force.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) often sells ships to other countries if they are functional, with many requiring restoration before being handed over. This is often to mitigate ongoing costs incurred to the taxpayer, especially if a vessel is not able to be used operationally. Closer diplomatic ties through such sales are also considered.

Sign up for free Portsmouth News newsletters

Many vessels are considered no longer seaworthy, and will be auctioned off to scrapyards across the globe - particularly those in Turkey that can take on a high proportion of ships. Here is a list of every Royal Navy ship that has been recycled or sold since the year 2000.

Vessels that have been decommissioned and do not currently have their future mapped out for them, such as HMS Montrose, HMS Enterprise, and others, have not been included.

Three vessels have no associated picture, so they are listed below:

  • HMS Bridport: A Sandown-class minehunter, now known as EML Ugandi, which was decommissioned in 2005 and part of a deal to sell three minehunters to Estona.
  • RFA Olwen: She was handed over for disposal on September 19, 2000. She was scrapped at the Alang Ship Breaking Yard in India.
  • HMS Kellington: The Ton-class minesweeper was decommissioned in 1993 and was turned into a training ship for the sea cadets. She was closed in 2005 for safety reasons, before being broken up in situ by Able UK in County Durham.
HMS Beagle, a Bulldog-class coastal survey vessel, served in the Royal Navy until February 7, 2002. She was then sold for £750,000 to a yacht company in Poole and converted into a four-deck luxury ship named MY Titan.

9. HMS Beagle

HMS Beagle, a Bulldog-class coastal survey vessel, served in the Royal Navy until February 7, 2002. She was then sold for £750,000 to a yacht company in Poole and converted into a four-deck luxury ship named MY Titan. | Royal Navy

Photo Sales
HMS Berkeley, a Hunt-class minehunter, was sold to the Greek Navy in 2001 and commissioned as HS Kallisto. She was cut in half following a collision with a container ship in October 2020.

10. HMS Berkeley

HMS Berkeley, a Hunt-class minehunter, was sold to the Greek Navy in 2001 and commissioned as HS Kallisto. She was cut in half following a collision with a container ship in October 2020. | Royal Navy

Photo Sales
HMS Beaver, Type 22 missile frigate, was sold for scrap on February 21, 2001, after being decommissioned in 1999.

11. HMS Beaver

HMS Beaver, Type 22 missile frigate, was sold for scrap on February 21, 2001, after being decommissioned in 1999. | Royal Navy

Photo Sales
HMS Wilton, a minesweeper vessel, was based in Portsmouth and took part in major missions such as Operation Rheostat in 1974. Even though she was decommissioned in 1994, she was sold in 2001 and fitted out as the new home of the Essex Yacht Club at Leigh-on-Sea in the Thames Estuary.

12. HMS Wilton

HMS Wilton, a minesweeper vessel, was based in Portsmouth and took part in major missions such as Operation Rheostat in 1974. Even though she was decommissioned in 1994, she was sold in 2001 and fitted out as the new home of the Essex Yacht Club at Leigh-on-Sea in the Thames Estuary. | Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Photo Sales
Previous
3 / 10
Next Page
Related topics:Royal NavyMinistry of DefenceGovernmentTurkey
News you can trust since 1877
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice