The Royal Navy has confirmed that the Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose left Portsmouth in mid-July to be dismantled at a ship‑recycling yard in Turkey.
Destination and contractor
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the decommissioned Duke‑class warship was awarded to the Turkish company Leyal Ship Recycling (Leyal Gemi Söküm) for dismantling. The ship departed Portsmouth under tow bound for the firm's facility in Aliaga.
“The decommissioned Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose was awarded to the Turkish firm Leyal Ship Recycling (Leyal Gemi Sokum) for dismantling. Following the Ministry of Defence’s competitive tendering process, the warship departed Portsmouth under tow in mid‑July 2026 to be recycled at the company’s facility in Aliaga, Turkey.”
State of the ship and service record
Montrose was observed leaving Portsmouth showing signs of wear: much of her hull was heavily corroded and parts had been removed, with even her pennant number F236 no longer clearly visible. The Ship was retired from service after years of operational deployment.
The Type 23s were designed with hull lives of around 18 years, though many vessels in the class served nearer three decades. During her operational career, Montrose was active overseas, particularly in the Middle East, where she took part in counter‑narcotics and maritime security tasks.
- Montrose was the first of her class to be involved in 10 narcotics seizures, with more than 16 tonnes of illegal drugs taken off the seas.
- The ship’s company also intercepted illegal weapons, including missiles seized in July 2022 that were believed to be destined for Yemen.
- She escorted and protected commercial vessels such as the MV British Heritage in areas of heightened maritime tension.
Context and recent comparisons
The vessel’s condition as she passed landmarks in Old Portsmouth drew comparisons with sister ships previously retired. HMS Northumberland, another Type 23, arrived in Portsmouth Naval Base on 29 May 2025 in a similarly depleted state ahead of disposal.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Class | Type 23 (Duke‑class) |
| Pennant number | F236 |
| Final destination | Aliaga, Turkey |
| Recycling contractor | Leyal Ship Recycling (Leyal Gemi Söküm) |
Portsmouth has long been a focal point for the arrival and departure of Royal Navy ships being retired from the fleet. The decision to send Montrose overseas for recycling follows the MoD’s procurement rules and a competitive tender process to select a dismantling facility.
The movement of decommissioned vessels abroad for breaking and recycling has been common in recent years. For Portsmouth and its naval workforce, such departures mark the end of an era for ships that served for decades on operations across the world.
Local residents who watched Montrose pass The Round Tower saw a ship that had clearly been stripped of many components and left with an extensively corroded hull — visible reminders of the heavy demands placed on warships during prolonged service at sea.
