HMS Kent leaves Portsmouth on anti-piracy mission

HMS Kent is equipped for various tasks such as anti-submarine, counter-piracy, peacekeeping and humanitarian missions

A Royal Navy frigate has set sail from Portsmouth for a six-month anti-piracy mission in the Indian Ocean.

HMS Kent will visit India and the Seychelles to enable the Royal Navy to maintain its long-term security presence along shipping routes.

Commander Ben Ripley said his crew was "looking forward to the challenges of counter-piracy operations".

The deployment is Kent's first since a £24m refit in 2011 which included a new sonar and medium-range gun.

The type 23 frigate will take over from HMS Northumberland.