The Royal Navy’s HMS Trent is primed to return upgraded – and with new dazzle camouflage – to the Fleet for the first time since her historic Caribbean mission.
The Portsmouth-based patrol ship has spent the last seven months in Malta in dry dock for a notable revamp, finalizing modifications and preparations to return to sea.
Trent also joins her four sisters – HMS Spey, Tamar, Medway, and Forth – in receiving the iconic dazzle camouflage wartime paint scheme.
The ship spent nine months last year in the Caribbean hunting drug smugglers, including the Royal Navy’s first interception of a first narco-sub carrying cocaine, and providing reassurance to British Overseas Territories during hurricane season.
Trent will be in UK waters carrying out flying trials to certify her new flight deck lighting system, replacing the old LEDs with brand new better versions. She is the first in the Royal Navy to get these upgrades.
The ship also has upgrades to her navigation lights, replacing the old incandescent ones with LEDs.
Commanding Officer Commander Tim Langford said, “Our time in Malta has been invaluable. We’ve completed a comprehensive maintenance period that’s left the ship in an (SIC) excellent condition, and the Ship’s Company has made the most of their time alongside.
“It’s been a productive and rewarding chapter of Trent’s story, and particularly enjoyable in what used to be the home of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean.
“Our focus is now towards regaining our aviation currency before resuming our operational duties in the Caribbean later in the year.”