UK: Type 23 frigate HMS Portland tracks Russia frigate Admiral Gorshkov


According to information published by the UK MoD on January 12, 2023, HMS Portland is monitoring the Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama as they sail in international waters close to the UK.
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Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001 Type 23 frigate HMS Portland, Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov and tanker Kama. (Picture source: UK MoD)


The Type 23 frigate joined the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel Bergen, as the Russian ships transited south through the Norwegian Sea.

Portland with her specialist Merlin helicopter embarked – both equipped with cutting-edge sonars, sensors and torpedoes for specialist operations – is tracking and reporting on the movements of the Russian ships through the North Sea.

Portland’s Commanding Officer Commander Ed Moss-Ward said: “Escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy.

HMS Portland departed her home port of Plymouth on Saturday on her latest patrol. The frigate – which underwent a major refit in 2021 – is adept at surface warfare operations as well as hunting submarines.

HMS Portland spent much of last year patrolling waters close to the UK, with visits to Norway and Sweden, and operating with NATO allies on the alliance’s submarine hunting exercise – Dynamic Mongoose – in the North Atlantic.

About the HMS Portland

HMS Portland is a Type 23 frigate of the British Royal Navy. The ship was accepted into service by the Royal Navy on 15 December 2000 and was commissioned on 3 May the following year.

The frigate has a length of 133 m (436 ft 4 in), a beam of 16.1 m (52 ft 10 in), and a draught of 7.3 m (23 ft 11 in). She can reach a maximum speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph).

The ship is powered by a diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) system, which consists of two Rolls Royce Spey SM1A 34,000 hp gas turbines and two Alstom 1.5 MW 4,400 hp electric motors. There are also four Alstom 12 RP2000CZ 1.3MW 7,000 hp auxiliary diesel.