This week, Type 23 Frigate HMS Portland has highlighted the advanced training of her crew and their operational readiness with a series of impressive exercises.
Earlier in the week, the ship’s Gunnery and Weapon Engineering teams conducted a successful 30mm gunnery exercise. This was quickly followed by a 4.5-inch gun firing, further showcasing the crew’s proficiency in handling and maintaining a range of onboard weaponry.
And as if the Weapon Engineering teams haven’t been busy enough with a 30mm Shoot and defect rectification, it was promptly followed by a seamless 4.5” Shoot 💥💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/gLIQuQTmFF
— HMS Portland (@HMSPortland) October 31, 2024
In addition to gunnery exercises, HMS Portland’s embarked flight from 814 Naval Air Squadron took to the skies to maintain aviation currency.
The helicopter crew captured stunning aerial views of HMS Prince of Wales and RFA Tidesurge, contributing to the ongoing training and readiness activities essential for multi-faceted naval operations. These exercises underscore the Royal Navy’s commitment to maintaining operational excellence across its fleet, combining gunnery precision with seamless aviation drills.
HMS Portland
HMS Portland is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy, marking the fifteenth and penultimate ship in the Duke-class series. Named after the historical Dukedom of Portland, she is the eighth ship to bear this name. Recently, HMS Portland has been actively engaged in various operations, spending 154 days at sea in 2022 and joining Halifax’s inaugural international fleet week in 2023. In February 2024, she participated in the NATO exercise Steadfast Defender as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group.
Designed for versatility, HMS Portland features Combined Diesel-Electric and Gas (CODLAG) propulsion, allowing her to exceed speeds of 28 knots and cover a range of 7,500 nautical miles at 16 knots. The frigate accommodates a crew complement of 185 but can house up to 205 personnel. This Type 23 frigate is equipped with advanced anti-submarine capabilities, including the Sonar 2087 system.
Portland’s arsenal includes a 32-cell Sea Ceptor Vertical Launching System for anti-air defence, twin Sting Ray torpedo tubes for anti-submarine operations, and a BAE 4.5-inch Mk 8 naval gun. She also carries 30mm cannons, general-purpose machine guns, and .50 calibre heavy machine guns, which replaced the previously installed Miniguns in 2023. The frigate’s original Harpoon anti-ship missiles were retired in 2023, and she may be retrofitted with Naval Strike Missiles.
For aerial support, HMS Portland is capable of deploying either a Wildcat HMA2 or a Merlin HM2 helicopter, each equipped with various anti-ship, anti-submarine, and multirole missiles. These aircraft can be housed in the frigate’s enclosed hangar, with a dedicated flight deck facilitating helicopter operations,
