Royal Navy's newest ship has joined the Fleet at Portsmouth (UK). HMS Kent is the fourteenth Type 23 frigate built for the Royal Navy and the twelfth RN ship to be called "Kent." She was built by BAE Systems at Scotstoun on the Clyde and launched in May 1998 by Princess Alexandra, sister of the Duke of Kent.
She was built by BAE Systems at Scotstoun on the Clyde and launched in May 1998 by Princess Alexandra, sister of the Duke of Kent.
HMS Kent is the first ship to sail under the new colour of a Blue Ensign defaced by a horizontal yellow Admiralty anchor which indicates her status as a government-owned and operated vessel undergoing sea trials. As the result of a comprehensive review of the legal status of vessels engaged on such trials, the Blue Ensign is now considered more appropriate than the Red Ensign which has been worn up to now on ships awaiting acceptance by the Royal Navy.