The Navy’s Black Duke is back in her home port and almost ready to rejoin the Fleet.

HMS Monmouth, known as the Black Duke, returned to Devonport after a £20 million refit at Rosyth in Scotland, which kept her out of service for 15 months.

A number of upgrades were carried out during the refit, undertaken by Babcock BES, including improvements to her communications fit and a series of alterations to allow her to handle the new Merlin helicopter – these include aircraft manoeuvring gear and landing aids.

Monmouth also now has the new 4.5in Mod 1 gun, the latest version of the tried and tested gun which has been in service with the Royal Navy since the early 1970s.

During the latter stages of her refit on the Forth, the frigate deployed more than 60 of her ship’s company to join firefighting duties as part of Operation Fresco.

She is due to be rededicated at a ceremony in Plymouth on July 18.