The Type 23 frigate is a class of frigate serving with the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. All the ships are named after British Dukes, thus  the class is also known as the Duke class. The first Type 23 was  commissioned in 1989, and the sixteenth, HMS St Albans was launched in  May 2000 and commissioned in June 2002. The combination of Merlin  helicopters with their advanced anti submarine equipment, and Sonar  2087, has according to the Royal Navy, re-affirmed its reputation as a  leader in anti-submarine warfare.

HMS kent?F78? was commissioned on 8 June 2000 and was the first ship to  enter Royal Navy service in the 21st Century. She is currently refitting at Rosyth.
Item No: 04547