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The Royal Navy has been left with just five frigates available for active service after HMS Iron Duke was effectively withdrawn from frontline operations. The Type 23 warship has had its weapons systems and sensors stripped out and has remained in port since October - despite completing a £103million refit in 2023 that was meant to extend its service life by at least five years. HMS Iron Duke is now expected to stay out of service until its planned decommissioning in 2028, raising fresh concerns over Britain’s naval strength at a time of growing global instability. According to Navy Lookout, the frigate managed a maximum of just 16 months at full operational capability following the major overhaul - meaning the £103million refit effectively cost around £6.4million per month of active service, excluding running costs. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The extensive repairs began in Devonport in May 2019 and was described as the most complex ever carried out on a Type 23 frigate. HMS Iron Duke had already been laid up in Portsmouth since 2017 due to severe hull corrosion before undergoing the mammoth refurbishment. The exact reason for the ship’s apparent withdrawal remains unclear, though speculation has centred on keel corrosion, crew shortages or propulsion issues making further investment uneconomical given its limited remaining lifespan. Its loss places even greater strain on the Royal Navy’s already stretched resources, particularly as Britain seeks to counter growing Russian naval activity in the English Channel and North Atlantic. The reduction also reportedly leaves the Carrier Strike Group with just a single frigate escort - half the minimum complement previously expected. Most of the remaining five active frigates are understood to be heavily tasked with monitoring potential Russian submarine movements in the North Atlantic. The withdrawal comes amid recent warnings from First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins that the threat posed by Russia is likely to intensify in the coming years Russian submarines have entered British waters in recent months, while sanctioned Russian vessels have also transited the Channel. BRITAIN'S ARMED FORCES - READ THE LATEST: Britain warned 'no money for new weapons until 2030' as armed forces accused of moving 'backwards' 'Major gap' in Britain's defences leaving citizens exposed to ballistic missile attacks Britain is facing a tactical nuke-sized nightmare entirely of its own making - Azeem Ibrahim The conflict in Iran has further heightened concerns around military readiness, with HMS Dragon’s deployment to Cyprus delayed after the UK sovereign base came under attack. Since returning to service, HMS Iron Duke’s primary role had been shadowing Russian vessels in British waters, particularly in the English Channel. In 2024, the frigate escorted a Russian warship through the Channel and also tracked the Russian spy ship Yantar. The vessel also hosted a reception for the King and Queen in Bordeaux during the state visit to France after returning to service in 2023. Britain’s ageing Type 23 fleet is due to be replaced by Type 26 frigates, though uncertainty remains over when those vessels will fully enter service. The final Type 23 frigates were ordered in 1996 with an intended lifespan of 18 years, but replacement orders were not placed until 2017. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “The Royal Navy keeps planned out-of-service dates under continual review as part of routine force planning, balancing operational requirements and affordability. Any decommissioning decisions will be announced in the usual way. “Through the strategic defence review, we are building a new hybrid navy - investing in world-class submarines and cutting-edge warships, transforming our aircraft carriers and introducing autonomous vessels to patrol the North Atlantic and beyond.” Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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