Royal Navy frigates to be based in Portsmouth

The new vessels will undertake a variety of operational roles

A new class of Royal Navy frigates will be based in Portsmouth the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.

In response to a question from the BBC, the MoD said all five of the new Type 31 general purpose frigates will replace ships previously based at the Hampshire naval base.

The new frigates are currently being built in Rosyth in Fife, with the first due to enter service in a couple of years time.

Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt said the news was "important to the city".

The vessels will undertake a variety of operational roles, including interception and disruption of illegal activity at sea, intelligence gathering and defence engagement.

They will replace the five general-purpose Type-23 frigates currently in service with the Royal Navy.

The Type 31 frigates will have advanced capabilities fitted onboard, including a supersonic anti-air missile defence system, as well as Bofors naval guns and a 4D radar system.

There will also be space to house a Royal Navy helicopter.

Portsmouth is already home to six 45 destroyers and the two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard hinted at the news during his visit to Portsmouth for the departure of the Royal Navy's flagship HMS Prince of Wales on its deployment on Tuesday.

The announcement also means the maintenance and refits of the ships will be carried out locally.

Mr Pitt said: "It's fantastic to get confirmation that Portsmouth Naval Base is to get the additional warships, helping to secure the future of the Naval Base. which is so important to the city."

The MoD has also confirmed that the eight Type 26 anti-submarine frigates will, as expected, be based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth.

Mr Pollard also said there would be extra spending on the Royal Marines and the Royal Navy as part of the government's increase in the defence budget.

The government's strategic defence review is due to be published later in the spring.