Tag Archives: Bangladesh Navy

Is this the oldest frigate still in commission?

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A possible candidate for the oldest frigate still in commission.

HMS Llandaff (F61), a Salisbury-class (Type 61) radar picket frigate, was laid down at Hawthorn Leslie on 27 August 1953. Launched in 1955, she was accepted into service and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 11 April 1958.

HMS Llandafff (F61) Photo: Geoff Pollard

Paid off from the RN after 18-years service, Llandaff was transferred to the Bangladeshi Navy on 10 December 1976 as BNS Umar Farooq (F16.

Do you see what they did there? Just reversed the pennant number.

She is currently assigned to 7th Frigate Squadron based at Chittagong where she remains in active commission assigned to patrol and training duty.

BNS Umar Farooq (F16)

So is this the oldest frigate still in commission? If not, I’d welcome suggestions as to what is.