HMS Lancaster has sailed from Portsmouth for an extended three-year long security mission. The ‘Queen’s Frigate’, launched by Her Majesty in 1990 and named after her as the Duke of Lancaster, will ultimately be based in Bahrain, conducting anti-arms and drugs smuggling patrols in the Middle East.
Prior to that she will participate with two NATO task forces, Standing Group 1 and Standing Group 2, on operations in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. Once on station in Bahrain, the 200-strong crew, including a Royal Marines boarding team and Wildcat helicopter flight, will rotate with a second crew in the UK every four months.