HMS Sutherland has sailed on a deployment to Australia, the Far East and the Gulf region.
In a ‘period of ongoing tension in the Korean peninsula’, the Type 23 Frigate will be available to ‘work closely with our regional partners, including US, Japanese and South Korean, and participate in joint training and exercises’ say the MoD.
This follows an announcement made by the Prime Minister that HMS Argyll will deploy to Japan to take part in exercises in December 2018 following participation in a Five Power Defence Arrangements exercise with Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia earlier in the year.
Speaking during a visit to the Devonport Naval Base, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
“Our already strong defence ties with allies in the Asia Pacific area will be deepened further by this deployment. At a time when North Korea’s illegal weapons programme is causing global concern, the deployment of these two Royal Navy ships is a clear demonstration of the UK’s commitment to the peace and prosperity of the region.”
Commander Andrew Canale, the ship’s captain, said:
“This is an opportunity for HMS Sutherland to demonstrate the global reach of the Royal Navy as well as the UK’s commitment to building relationships and maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
A deployment of this nature means that we must be prepared to respond to any eventuality. I am very proud of the Ship’s Company and the many support organisations who have assisted HMS Sutherland to deploy two months ahead of her planned departure date.
Having just returned from Christmas leave, I am acutely aware of the sacrifices that our families are also making and I am grateful for their support as we embark on this period away from home.”
God’s speed to those sailors. Let’s hope they come back too us in the best condition possible
“HMS Sutherland has sailed on a deployment to Australia, the Far East and the Gulf region.” Whats missing from the above headline Dont know? Well i’ll tell you and all you people who represent “ukdj” Its the fact that if this ship had sailed from Portsmouth it would be emblazoned everywhere But as its sailed from Devonport no mention of its home base in the headlines (admittedly further down) Yes im from there and am biased towards the place as i started work there on the tugs before joining the RFA Portsmouth is i admit the home of the Royal… Read more »
Yes I did.
As far as I’m concerned both HMNB Portsmouth and HMNB Devonport are of equal importance.
Both have an attendant DMG Munitions site, POL depot, and assorted training sites too.
Portsmouth may have Whale Island but Devonport has the RM.
Besides Barry, surely you know the most important HQ is not Whale Island and Leach Building but the assorted organisations at Northwood, which quite rightly should be within reach of a nations capital like other similar sites.
And that is no where near the sea!
Point taken about Northwood Daniele
But the rest still stand that its always Portsmouth this and Portsmouth that
I knew that – my Wife’s late Uncle used to drive the crane that did the lifts.
Barry – you are entitled to your view and I for one find nothing offensive with it – in fact I like it that you are sticking up for your home port… good on you…
My other point is that our politicians do like committing our forces to all manner of situations whilst constantly underfunding.
On a positive side North Korea is one of the few places in the world with an older Frigate force than ours, so the T23 may actually look modern… at least until they see the South Korean and Japanese escorts sailing close by
On a positive side North Korea is one of the few places in the world with an older Frigate force than ours, so the T23 may actually look modern… at least until they see the South Korean and Japanese escorts sailing close by
Knowing this government, they will try to sell Pyongyang some ships, oh hang on I forgot the Do-gooders at the Foreign Aid department, will pay them to take our new ships off our hands.
Disturbingly likely.
Defence secretary ‘horrified’ at military cost-cutting plans that would leave the smallest British army since Napoleonic wars
Under threat are nine Royal Navy warships, seven Type 23 frigates, 100 helicopters, a fleet of Wildcat aircraft and the Apache force. Another cost-saving move would be merging 3 Commando Brigade, which uses Royal Marines, and 16 Air Assault Brigade that uses the parachute regiment, which may leave Britain vulnerable in long campaigns.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/defence-secretary-horrified-military-cost-cutting-plans-that-would-leave-smallest-british-army-1654844
I think the new Secretary for Defence might be experiencing a bout of nerves. Cost cutting options and scenarios are not plans.
my son-in-law is on the sutherland,even though he is a welshman on a scottish majority vessel,he is very proud of his deployment,even though his wife and two children will miss him very much.as an ex welsh guardsman i am very proud of him and he is a great chef so it does’nt matter where he is based they all keep us safe.
It’s almost worth handing over the foreign aid budget to the MOD just to see how much of it would be wasted.
Should help with free trade negotiations.