The UK Royal Navy Type 23 Duke Class frigate, HMS Sutherland, has been retasked to Nato to support Operation Unified Protector in Libya.

HMS Sutherland, temporarily detached from the Cougar deployment and the responsive force task group (RFTG), took over HMS Iron Duke’s role to support the Royal Navy and Nato units in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Type 23 frigate will assist in enforcing the arms embargo, protecting civilians under threat of attack and guarding against threats to the flow of humanitarian assistance.

The ship is capable of supporting a wide range of operations including the protection of civilians, territory and trade.

The Royal Navy is supporting Nato in enforcing the UN-mandated arms embargo and protecting the people of Libya.