The Type 23 frigate is deployed east of Suez for three years as part of the Navy’s new Forward Presence programme which ensures vessels spend more time at sea in an operational theatre. Babcock International and ASYAD joint venture Drydock Duqm Naval Dockyard (DND) has completed a double engine replacement for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 23 Duke-class frigate, HMS Montrose. It is said to be first-of-its-kind activity completed by DND for the Royal Navy in the Middle East. Image of HMS Montrose, seen here carrying out protection duties for British shipping in the Gulf region. HMS MONTROSE is currently carrying out duties patrolling the Gulf, keeping the shipping lanes safe and ensuring that international trade is not threatened. In the first two months on patrol in 2019 HMS MONTROSE safeguarded over 6 million tonnes of British Shipping. HMS MONTROSE is a type 23 frigate originally based in Plymouth and is the Royal Navy’s forward operating ship based out in the Gulf for the upcoming years and works on a watch rotation basis. Every 4 months the port and starboard crew rotate. The Starboard crew of HMS MONTROSE is made up from sailors from HMS MONMOUTH