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HMS Kent returns to sea after 3-month maintenance package
5 March 2021
HMS Kent has returned to sea today for a period of trials and training after three months alongside in her home port for maintenance and other preparations for her deployment this year with the UK’s new Carrier Strike Group.
This period at HM Naval Base Portsmouth has been the final opportunity to complete work on the Type 23 anti-submarine frigate so that she is ready for operations for the rest of the year.
Commanding Officer, Commander Matt Sykes said: "The last three months in Portsmouth have been vital to make sure Kent is ready to deploy with HMS Queen Elizabeth and the Carrier Strike Group in the spring."
In addition to routine maintenance, various new equipment has been fitted, including infrastructure to support embarkation of the Royal Navy’s new Martlet missile carried by the ship’s Wildcat helicopter.
Achieving this during the ongoing pandemic has not been easy and I am extremely grateful to HM Naval Base Portsmouth, the waterfront support organisations and service providers for all their hard work to get us back to sea on time.
As well as work on the ship, personnel have also been completing other training and preparations, including taking part in Exercise Virtual Warrior 21 with other Carrier Strike Group ships in HMS Collingwood during February.
Cdr Sykes added: “I would also like to thank the Ship’s Company and their families for the way they have coped with this busy period during the pandemic. It is now up to us to complete our training around the UK and make sure we are ready for this year’s landmark deployment.”
Following training and trials, Kent will return to Portsmouth for a period of pre-deployment leave before deploying worldwide as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group later in the spring.