Type 23 Frigate HMS Sutherland has visited Guam in the Pacific Ocean, there was also a turtle.

Guam is a territory of the United States in Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean.

Recently, HMS Sutherland sailed into Sydney for the beginning of a week-long visit to Australia’s biggest city.

“Thank you, Sydney, for a great welcome,” said the frigate’s Commanding Officer, Commander Andrew Canale. “We’re looking forward to a packed programme over the next few days.”

According to a press release:

“The Australian element of the Fighting Clan’s deployment is centred on encouraging the Royal Australian Navy to buy British – from the Great Britain campaign celebrating the best of UK industry and talent… through to encouraging Canberra to ‘go British’ when it replaces its warships. The Royal Australian Navy is about to invest massively in its frigate force, with Britain pushing the Type 26 and 31 – which will replace Sutherland and her 12 sisters over the next 18 years – as one of the designs.”

Before that, Type 23 Frigate HMS Sutherland conducted a ‘Sovereignty Patrol’ as part of her entry into Gibraltar.

Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare in the North Atlantic, the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates have proven their versatility peace-keeping and maritime security operations. Thirteen Type 23 frigates remain in service with the Royal Navy, with three vessels having been sold to Chile and handed over to the Chilean Navy.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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26 COMMENTS

  2. You mean….it has not sunk yet after its tiles got damaged???

    Whatever next.

    The trolls won’t be pleased.

    • The trolls will think of something .. .. They never mention the Russian warship what crashed in to a small.Turkish fishing boat and the Russian shop sunk.

  3. Are there plans for the ship to exercise with USN Pacific Fleet units or is it just on it’s way home via the SCS? Assuming of course the tile and salad bar damage wasn’t too bad… 😀

  5. A combined RN/RAN/JMSDF/USN carrier battle group transiting within full view of the garrisons of those glorified sand bars the PLA have built would be a welcome sight in about that timeframe…

  6. I’m curious, when other nations join to escort the US carriers, is it because there isn’t enough US ships in the battlegroup and so they need additions or is it simply a PR piece for their allies?

    • USN CSG’s (and ESG’s) all deploy with the proper number of escorts – one or more of which may peel off for a time for an independent mission during the deployment. The purpose of exercising with allied vessels is for interoperability training in the case of joint operations or for war and – as you posited – for the PR value as a demonstration of allied solidarity. E.G – when an RN T45 acts as THE air defense commander for a USN CSG in the Persian Gulf in charge of all strike group air defense assets it also demonstrates a high level of trust in the abilities and competence of that allied navy. However some allies are more equal than others though. Very few allied navies are entrusted with that level of responsibility The RN, the JMSDF, the French – and probably the the RAN and Norwegians account for almost all of those.

      Cheers!

        • Jack, once the Hobarts are fully operational they will give the RAN unprecedented new capabilities and I believe that they will often be fully integrated into USN strike groups operating in the West Pac / Indo Pacific. I can also see joint ESG’s as well with the new Canberra’s.

          I really wish the USN, RAN, RNZN, and the RCN would get together for a T26 buy. even with nation specific requirements and home country partner build the price for all including the RN would have to drop dramatically on common component costs alone.

          Cheers!

          • Whatever the result, the news stories of a possible China military base in Vanuatu hopefully will result in a further increase in the number of hulls for SEA 5000. Perhaps the Kiwis may even find a new interest in defence spending and splash some cash.

          • They might begin by reintroducing a fighter air defense / anti ship capability back into the RNZAF… Even taking into account their remote neighborhood, to not have any type of fighter capability is bonkers IMHO. At least 3 new frigates common to the RAN would also be a good idea as well…

            Cheers!

          • The RNZN CNS stated that Sea Ceptor will be pulled through from the Anzac frigates to their replacements. If the UK can offer a competitive price, a Kiwi buy of “off the shelf” Type 26 frigates is probably more realistic than the SEA 5000 option. Perhaps 3 x slightly used Type 26s?

            I did read the Aust. PM had offered to train aircrew and maintain aircraft as an enticement to the NZ PM to purchase the P8A. It seems there are ongoing discussions about defence in our region.

            As for the fighter force, it is a real shame the Kiwis chose not to replace its A4Ks. Perhaps events this week may change thinking in Wellington.

          • Agreed Jack, those old P3’s they have now are on their last legs.

            http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/what-we-do/aircraft/orion.htm

            They almost bought some used F16’s a few years back to replace the A4’s but pulled out at the last second. Bad move. F16’s are probably among the most “affordable” fighter aircraft in the world and there are numerous modernization programs to be had.

            If the T26’s are too rich for their blood then perhaps 3 T31’s? These would complement the RAN’s new (undoubtedly) heavier frigate replacement program – especially if the T26 is selected.

            I truly believe the the nations of the 5 Eyes /Powers NEED to ensure their warships and military equipment is fully interoperable with each each other. It will of ever increasing criticality in the years ahead.

            Cheers!

        • The Kiwis are a highly professional force so let’s hope their Government supports them with the purchase of new P8As, frigates capable of operating with the USN and capable airlifters to replace their C130Hs.

      • As such the US are not really trusting it’s allies. Having a ally join an already sufficiently defended group is not trusting and giving command in a peaceful situation is the same, since it could be taken back should things go south.

        Compare this with the UK plan, which is to need ally ships and planes to provide the basic numbers.

          • That’s true David, however can I point out that when we do, it’s very often a British officer who is in command. My personal example would be New Years Day 1998 when I was attached to a U.S. Army armored brigade crossing the Sava River into Bosnia on the largest assault bridge built since WWII. The officer in command of that NATO op was British…

            Cheers!

          • It has happened a few times, usually with RN flag officers in command. In the Persian Gulf, and once in the North Atlantic.

            (Hi Dave, when can we get together? AJ)

        • A good point Steve, that’s why I specifically used the example of the Persian Gulf. This very high risk area is certainly not a mid Atlantic NATO exercise zone and ceding AAW authority to the RN is not something that can be hastily taken back with vampires inbound. It requires real world trust in the capabilities and competence of that RN ship, crew, and commander… Not something done lightly I assure you.

          Cheers!

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