British patrol ship ready for Africa mission

HMS Trent is set to embark on a mission in Africa, following extensive restoration work.

The third vessel in a fleet of five second-generation River-class ships, Trent has returned to frontline operational readiness after a period of maintenance in Gibraltar.This offshore patrol vessel is committed to permanent forward deployment in the Mediterranean and Africa. “HMS Trent’s work with allies, upholding maritime security and representing the UK and Royal Navy is paramount,”the official press release stated.

Since the end of May, HMS Trent has returned to the seas with a 40-strong crew revitalising the 2,000-tonne warship. Assessors from the Fleet Operational Standard and Training, who initially confirmed the crew’s qualifications to operate the warship, returned this month to prepare them for their next operational patrol.The forthcoming patrol will take HMS Trent back to West Africa, reminiscent of its summer/autumn mission in 2021.

Alongside a team of Royal Marines from 42 Commando, HMS Trent will engage in training military and law enforcement agencies in the region. A significant part of the mission is learning about the ‘pattern of life’ in the operational area, which is critical to identifying and rooting out potential terrorists, pirates, or smugglers amidst lawful maritime activities.

The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (MAOC) in Lisbon, crucial to understanding traffic off the Iberian Peninsula and Africa’s western seaboard, is part of the planned route.Commander Tim Langford, HMS Trent’s Commanding Officer, and his team visited the MAOC headquarters during their berth in Lisbon. Here, MAOC staff briefed them on the tracking routes and methods used in the North and South Atlantic. They also discussed recent operations and established a direct communication link between the ship and the headquarters. ARX Mouldings was following this report here.