Devonport Naval Base will host Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 January - the first Royal Navy Ship to berth at Devonport Naval Base for more than 20 years.

HMS Montrose is at the early stage of a 3-year deployment from her home port of HM Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth and has already visited Chile, Easter Island and the Pitcairn Islands.

The ship’s deployment will take her across three of the world’s oceans as part of the UK’s commitment to security at sea. She is visiting four continents as she begins a global deployment before ultimately arriving at the newly-opened UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain. HMS Montrose will be first RN Type 23 frigate to be forward-deployed in the Gulf region.

On her journey to New Zealand, HMS Montrose joined the international fight against plastic littering the oceans by recording pollution on four Pacific islands. The Ship's Company and its Wildcat helicopter spent two days surveying remote islands – including Pitcairn - where reconnaissance images of debris were captured and will be used by conservationists who are taking part in a massive clean-up of plastics later this year.

This visit will include a Pōwhiri welcome onto Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa Marae and a sports day on the afternoon of the 16th between the Royal Navy and the New Zealand Royal Navy.

Speaking ahead of the visit, British High Commissioner Laura Clarke said:

“We are delighted to have HMS Montrose visit Auckland early in her mammoth 3-year deployment. As the first Royal Navy warship to visit Auckland since 2003, this is an opportunity for HMS Montrose to demonstrate the global reach of the Royal Navy as well as the UK’s commitment to maintaining stability in the Asia Pacific region with close allies such as New Zealand.

As we continue to enjoy the New Zealand summer, I am acutely aware of the sacrifices that the Ship’s Company have made by being away from their families over the festive period. We know New Zealand will be a much-welcomed stop for them and that Kiwis will greet them with their usual warm hospitality. We thank the Royal New Zealand Navy for all of their assistance in welcoming HMS Montrose.”

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