British Navy HMS Argyll Type 23 Duke-class frigate conducts naval training with Japanese Navy in the Gulf of Aden.

According to a Tweet released by NavyLookout on September 6, 2020, British Navy HMS Argyll F231 Type 23 Duke-class frigate has conducted naval training with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force destroyer Takanami in the Gulf of Aden this week. The HMS Argyll is the longest-serving Type 23 Frigate in the British Navy.
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British Navy HMS Argyll F231 Type 23 Duke-class frigate has conducted naval training with Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force destroyer Takanami in the Gulf of Aden. (Picture source Twitter account Navy Lookout)

The British Navy HMS Argyll was laid down in March 1987 by Yarrow Shipbuilders at Glasgow, and launched in 1989 by Lady Wendy Levene, sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Paviors. She was commissioned in May 1991. Argyll is currently based at Devonport Dockyard.

The HMS Argyll was deployed on Operations for much of 2018 and 2019 to the Far East and Arabian Gulf as the first Sea Ceptor Missile fitted Warship. On her return through the Bay of Biscay Argyll rescued 27 Mariners from the burning Ship MV Grande America leading to the award of a Queen’s Gallantry Medal and a Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Operational Honours list for 2 members of the Ship’s Company. HMS Argyll was also named ‘Hero Overseas Unit’ at the Sun Military Awards (Millies) for 2020.

The Type 23 frigate or Duke-class is a class of frigates built for the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare in the North Atlantic, the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates have proven their versatility in warfighting, peacekeeping and maritime security operations around the globe. Thirteen Type 23 frigates remain in service with the Royal Navy, with three vessels having been sold to the Chilean Navy.

The HMS Argyll is armed with 32-cell Sea Wolf GWS.26 VLS canisters for 32 Sea Wolf (range 1–10 km) or Sea Ceptor missiles, two quad Harpoon launchers anti-ship missiles, two twin 12.75 in (324 mm) Sting Ray torpedo tubes, one BAE 4.5 inch Mk 8 naval gun, two 30 mm DS30M Mk2 automatic cannons, two miniguns and four General-purpose machine guns.

The Takanami is a class of destroyer built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and IHI Corporation between 2000 and 2004 and serving with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Citing Naval-Technology website, the Takanami Class destroyers are fit with an Mk48 VLS (vertical launching system) for Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles. The Mk41 VLS installed on the ship can fire RUM-139 VL ASROC (anti-submarine rockets). The ship has also two triple-mount Type 68 anti-submarine torpedo tubes, firing six Mk46 ASW torpedoes.

The Takanami destroyer also has an Oto Melara 3 (now Oto Breda) 127mm, 54 caliber, compact gun fitted forward. The close-in air defense is provided by two Phalanx 20mm close-in weapons system (CIWS) mounted on the vessel. The Phalanx CIWS is used to defend incoming anti-ship missiles and low flying aircraft.