A drug-busting Royal Navy warship that has been instrumental in countering the smuggling of narcotics and weapons on the high seas has arrived in Bahrain for the final time – ending one of the busiest and longest careers of any major British frigate.
HMS Lancaster recently docked at the UK Naval Support Facility in Juffair. The longest-serving frigate for the Royal Navy will soon set sail into the sunset as it has been decommissioned after 34 years of exceptional operational service.
The 4,500-tonne vessel has started to power down her engines after completing 4,097 days at sea and travelling 816,000 nautical miles – equivalent to 37.5 times around the world or almost two return trips to the Moon.
Launched by the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the Clyde in 1990 and named after the Duke of Lancaster, a title held by the monarch, HMS Lancaster was commissioned into the Royal Navy in May 1992. The late Queen remained a frequent visitor throughout the ship’s service, attending key milestones and private visits.
The late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh pose with the crew on visit in 2004.
Based in Portsmouth for the vast majority of her career before transferring to Plymouth, HMS Lancaster spent her final three years operating from the UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain, where she proved to be exceptionally effective on operations.
HMS Lancaster, a Duke-class Type 23 frigate, was deployed to the Middle East region to help provide regional maritime security and stability. “She was the first ship on task in the Red Sea during heightened threat activity in December 2023, and completed numerous narcotics seizures totalling around £150 million (around BD75m),” said a Royal Navy statement.
“Her most recent drug bust saw Royal Marines snipers disabling a fast boat from the ship’s Wildcat helicopter.”
The frigate, in the above drug-bust, seized illicit narcotics from a vessel in the Arabian Sea. HMS Lancaster was working in direct support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), seized 1,000kg of heroin, 660kg hashish and 6kg of amphetamine during the operation.
The crew from the ‘Queen’s Frigate’ upon arrival in Bahrain as it ends with remarkable final deployment
According to the UK’s National Crime Agency, the ship’s crew also seized drugs in two separate operations last year that had a street value of just under £30m (around BD15m).
The seized weapons and components from Iran aboard HMS Lancaster in 2023.
The GDN reported in 2023 that HMS Lancaster led a major operation along with the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet to detect and intercept a fishing boat in the Gulf of Oman carrying anti-tank guided missiles and medium-range ballistic missile components from Iran, which were seized.
The seized weapons and components from Iran aboard HMS Lancaster in 2023.
Bringing HMS Lancaster into Bahrain for the final time was Commander Sam Stephens. “A proud moment as the last Commanding Officer, putting HMS Lancaster alongside for the final time, marking an end to a long and illustrious history of operational success and links to the late Queen Elizabeth II,” he said.
Commander Sam Stephens on the forecastle of his frigate
“This final period at sea has proved the ship continues to perform at the same exceptional standard as when she first commissioned, which stands as a testament, not only to this crew, but to every crew who have served in her over the past 34 years of distinguished service.”
HMS Lancaster was greeted by Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, who commanded the ship between 2011 and 2013, and the Royal Navy’s senior officer in the Middle East, UK Maritime Component Commander Commodore Ben Aldous.
“Having had the privilege of commanding Lancaster myself, it is deeply poignant to be onboard for her final port entry after 34 years of outstanding service – almost double her original 18-year lifespan,” said Vice Admiral Moorhouse.
“Her operational output has been exceptional, particularly during her final three years in the Middle East supporting allies and partners.
“I pay particular tribute to the ship’s company for their professionalism and their families for their unwavering support as we prepare the ship for disposal and look to return personnel to the UK for Christmas.”
The Royal Navy added the final plans for HMS Lancaster are to be confirmed, and the majority of her crew will be able to return home for Christmas. It will not sail back to the UK and be disposed of from Bahrain.
HMS Lancaster has been decommissioned after 34 years of exceptional operational service. It was built for 18 years of service nearly double her expected lifespan.
HMS Lancaster was designed to track hostile submarines as well as perform general duties around the globe. The bulk of the vessel’s active career has been spent either in the Caribbean or Middle East, interspersed with duties in the US, South Atlantic, Arctic, Mediterranean and Baltic.
Her duties ranged from counter-piracy operations and drug interdiction to protecting commercial shipping and evacuating civilians from war-torn Sudan.
Throughout her life, the ship has been affiliated with both her namesake city of Lancaster and the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, whose Lancaster bomber would fly over Portsmouth Harbour when the frigate sailed on or returned from deployment.
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