HMS Kent

HMS Kent

HMS Kent is one of the newest of the Type 23 frigates within the Royal Navy arsenal. Built by BAE Systems on the Clyde, she was launched on 27 May 1998 by Princess Alexandra of Kent.

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Incorporating stealth technology  to reduce her acoustic, magnetic and radar profile, she presents a formidable force when deploying both her highly capable sonar systems and embarked helicopter to detect opposing forces.

In October 2014, HMS Kent headed out from her home base of Portsmouth for a six month deployment to the Indian Ocean. The ship and her company had spent the preceding few months being put through her paces with training and trials to make sure she was at her best for this deployment.

During her six months away, the ship is tasked with safeguarding the seas in her maritime security role, and providing counter-narcotics and counter-piracy patrols to protect the waterways of the world.



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On Deployment

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HMS Kent joins battle group in the Gulf

Kent joins battle groups in fight against ISIL

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HMS Kent Latest News

HMS Kent ship enters Gulf with French carrier group

HMS Kent enters Gulf with French carrier group

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HMS Kent working with French carrier strike group

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Current operation Operation Kipion

Units of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary have been on patrol in the Gulf since October 1980, after the Iran/Iraq conflict of that year, and more recently operations have extended further south with the increase in piracy off the Somalia coast. Having warships present in the region is one of the main tools the UK has to show our commitment to this part of the world.

  • Alongside

    Alongside in her home port of Portsmouth Naval Base

Protecting our economy

Maritime trade is the lifeblood of the UK economy and industry. 95% of Britain’s economic activity depends on the oceans. And every year Britain imports goods worth £524 billion. The UK is so dependent on the seas for its prosperity, that without the Royal Navy acting as deterrent the effect on the economy would be overwhelming.

Providing security at sea

The UK has a responsibility to its citizens and its allies to endeavour to safeguard the high seas. This is why the Royal Navy protects home and international waters – making sure the global trade that Britain and the world depend on can proceed without a hitch.

Location middle east

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Unit History

Battle History1653

The first Kent was known as the Kentish Frigate and was a 4th Rate of 46 guns built in Deptford in 1653. She spent seven years in Cromwell's Navy and saw action on the Barbary Coast.

Battle History1653

1653 Portland (the Kentish Frigate)
1653 Gabbard (the Kentish Frigate)

Battle History1655

1655 Porto Farina
1665 Lowestoft
1666 Orfordness

The Second Kent 1679-17441679

The second Kent, a 3rd Rate of 70 guns, was launched at Blackwall. She won four Battle Honours fighting the French and Spanish in the Mediterranean. Her first action was Barfleur 1692.

Battle History1692

1692 Barfleur

The Second Kent1702

In 1702 she was at the Battle of Vigo, in which 17 French warships and 17 Spanish galleons were captured or destroyed. At the Battle of Malaga, she helped to defeat an attempt to capture Gibraltar.

Battle History1718

In 1718, she fought off a Spanish force threatening Sicily. In 1774, Kent was in the West Indies fleet in the bombardment of Santiago da Cuba. 

The Third Kent1746

The third HMS Kent was a 3rd Rate frigate with 74 guns, commissioned at Deptford in 1746. She saw action off Cape Finisterre and at Ushant, and in 1756, helped retake Calcutta. 

The Fourth Kent1762

The Fourth Kent, was another 3rd Rate of 74 guns. She suffered an explosion in 1774 that caused major damage and, although she was rebuilt, she never saw active service in her twenty-one years.

The Fifth Kent1797

The fifth Kent, built on the Thames, was the last 3rd Rate. She played her part in the defeat of Napoleon's forces in Egypt. Her figurehead was preserved at the main gate of the dockyard.

The Sixth Kent1799

The sixth Kent only existed for two years, while the fifth Kent was still in commission. She was an armed cutter of fourteen guns and spent her two years in the Downs Squadron.

The Seventh Kent1860

The Seventh Kent, 1860
The seventh Kent was laid down in 1860 but was cancelled before launch in 1862.

The Eighth Kent1880

The eighth Kent was originally known as HMS Impregnable and then became HMS Caledonia in 1891.

The Ninth Kent1901

Built in Portsmouth in 1901 as a First Class cruiser, she sailed to South Africa shortly before the Battle of Colonel. Her Battle ensign is laid up in Canterbury Cathedral.

The Tenth Kent1928

The Tenth Kent, 1928 - 1947
The tenth Kent was one of the first County Class cruisers she was launched on the 25th June 1928.

1943

Kent was hit by a bomb in Devonport but recommissioned in time to join the Fleet in Scapa in October 1943. From then until 1944 she patrolled the Northern approaches.

1944

In 1944, the ship took part in a number of operations off the Norwegian coast. On 14th November 1944 Kent led a successful attack on a convoy of 11 ships and escorts off Lister fjord. 

The Eleventh Kent1963

The eleventh Kent was commissioned in 1963,  a County Class destroyer. She was present at the Jubilee Review at Spithead in 1977.

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Ship's Motto

Invicta - Unconquerable

815 Naval Air Squadron

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HMNB Portsmouth

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Fact

Displacement: 4,900 tonnes; length: 133m; beam: 16.1m; complement: 185

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