HMS Cornwall is a Batch 3 Type 22 frigate, "stretched" approximately 17 m longer than the original Broadsword Class. She was launched in October 1985 and commissioned at Falmouth, Cornwall in 1988 by the Ship's sponsor, Diana Princess of Wales. Following the untimely death of Princess Diana, Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Cornwall assumed these responsibilities.
The Ship is the first of the Batch 3 Type 22 Frigates and is part of Devonport Flotilla. The Commanding Officer is Commander David Wilkinson.
HMS Cornwall has battle honours from Barfleur in 1692, the Falkland Islands in 1914 and the Dardanelles in 1915. She is affiliated to the County of Cornwall, The Light Infantry and the Worshipful Guild of Leathersellers amongst others.
HMS Cornwall is currently in the middle of an intensive period of Operational Sea Training, with her Ship’s Company being trained and assessed across a wide variety of disciplines to ensure everyone and everything is fully prepared to meet the demands of the upcoming deployment. The last 4 weeks have seen the Ship’s Company honing their skills in fighting fires, stopping floods, repairing battle damage, defending the ship and attacking the enemy, with a subtle change of emphasis later this week with a Humanitarian Disaster Exercise, before the tempo of training steps up a gear.
Later this year, after Operational Sea Training, HMS Cornwall will be deploying East of Suez to conduct counter piracy operations.
