In pictures: Submarine-hunting HMS Somerset home for Xmas after eight months away

Ending a busy year with more than eight months away from her home port on national tasking, HMS Somerset has returned to Plymouth.

Her taskings have included operations tracking Russian vessels – including the Yantar – in UK waters, working alongside Nato allies, and the firing of the first Naval Strike Missile.

Sailors from the submarine hunter were reunited with friends and family as she sailed back into Devonport naval base following operations in the North Atlantic. 

• HMS Somerset home after busy time tracking Russian warships and doing Nato drills
• HMS Somerset in high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase with allied submarines in Arctic
• HMS Somerset's crew recalled on Christmas Day to track Russian ships over 500 miles

Somerset’s 200-strong ship's company has made a tangible difference in delivering UK national security objectives and reinforcing Nato's mission of collective security, unity, and deterrence.

During this time, Somerset has sailed more than 18,500 nautical miles and achieved a great deal both alone and alongside navies from Germany, Norway, Canada and France. She has also operated with the Norwegian and Irish Coastguards.

Commander Matt Millyard, Commanding Officer of the Type 23 frigate, said: "This deployment rounds off a very busy year for HMS Somerset, with a total of eight months spent away from our home port on operations in the North Atlantic. 

"The ship and crew have delivered everything that has been asked of them, and more. It's a proud moment to return home after such success on operations, topped off by being able to come home for Christmas."