HMS Westminster Returns To South Coast

HMS Westminster returns to the south coast after spending the summer focused on her primary anti-submarine role.

As the Type 23 frigate reached the south coast, she took the opportunity to lay down some lead with her 4.5-inch gun during gunnery practice on the way back to her home port of Portsmouth.

The ship stopped off at ranges in Lulworth's exercise areas, to use the versatile weapon - which is used against surface or land targets.

The ship’s Gunnery Officer, Lieutenant Paul Kilbride, oversaw the efforts as the frigate fired off 27 rounds, including eight high explosive rounds.

Lieutenant Kilbride said: "This was a fantastic chance for the ship to drill one of its main weapons.

"The 4.5-inch gun is one of our primary weapons against a surface or land target and today proved our capability and skill in deploying this asset."

He added that it further gave the engineers a chance to "practice one of their more exciting tasks."

The weapon has been essential in conflicts - from being used in Libya in 2011 and through to the Second Gulf War in 2003. 

It is capable of firing two dozen rounds a minute and has a range of 18 miles.

Shells leave the barrel at 1,700mph.

Lieutenant Commander Dave Howe, the ship’s Weapon Engineer Officer, said: “Today’s gunnery practice was a great demonstration of the whole ship working together.

“It was utterly reliant on my swept up and hardworking team, from those in the gun bay loading the gun, to the maintainers liaising with the principal warfare officers in the operations room.

“This has been a great training serial for us to remain current and ensure we can deliver the highest quality operational output.”

HMS Westminster, which underwent a major refit in 2017, is now alongside in Portsmouth ahead of deployment in the near future.