After spending many weeks at sea, what better way to be welcomed to a New Zealand port than with a traditional Haka.
HMS Montrose is currently operational as part of the Joint Expeditionary Force, where she is ready to respond to National and Coalition Tasking.
As part of her deployment, she has visited New Zealand before also visiting Japan later on this year.
HMS Montrose will be the fourth warship to visit Japan in the last 12 months.
The announcement comes as Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll spent New Year’s in the region and took part in exercises with Japanese and US navies.
Fellow Plymouth-based frigate Montrose will head to the Asia-Pacific to monitor illegal ship-to-ship transfers of key imports and exports as part of the international pressure campaign against North Korea’s illegal nuclear programme.
During her deployment, announced by Prime Minister Theresa May during a visit by her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, the ship will follow in Argyll’s footsteps of taking part in anti-submarine warfare alongside the Japanese Navy (Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force).
Commander Conor O’Neill, commanding officer of HMS Montrose, said:
“HMS Montrose is looking forward to deploying further into Asia, heading deeper into this important region.
“As we prepare to take the baton from our sister ship HMS Argyll, we are seized of the opportunities that our presence offers, both to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security at sea and ashore, and to enhance the UK’s interests and relationships in this fascinating and complex region.”
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