HMS Iron Duke (F234) Royal Navy Ship Tea Coffee Mug Gift

HMS Iron Duke (F234) is a **Type 23 Duke-class** frigate of the Royal Navy, built by Yarrow Shipbuilders, launched in 1991, and commissioned in 1993 as one of the general-purpose variants without the full Sonar 2087 towed array (though fitting from decommissioned ships has been considered). Equipped with Sea Ceptor missiles, a 4.5-inch gun, anti-ship weapons, torpedoes, Artisan 3D radar, and facilities for a Wildcat helicopter, she excels in maritime security, counter-piracy, drug interdiction, and surface warfare. Notable for operations off Libya in 2011, multiple drug seizures in the Caribbean, and recent shadowing of Russian vessels in UK waters and the Channel in 2024–2025, Iron Duke completed a prolonged life-extension refit in the early 2020s. As of early 2026, she remains in active service but is currently undergoing maintenance, with her future uncertain due to manning shortages and prioritisation of other frigates, amid plans for decommissioning around 2029 as Type 26 and Type 31 replacements enter service.