HMS Richmond (F239), a Type 23 Duke class frigate, is a prime example of the British Royal Navy's commitment to maritime power projection.

Originally designed for Cold War-era anti-submarine warfare, Type 23 Duke class frigates have evolved into what the Royal Navy calls "ships capable of almost any task expected of them around the globe."

The vessels, about 133m in length with the capacity to transport more than 180 personnel, are "equipped with the technology and weaponry to handle virtually any threat," it says.

Like other vessels in her class, Richmond typically operates alongside a Type 45 Destroyer, a pairing that enhances the ship's anti-submarine capabilities by combining the two vessels' sensor networks and their layered defense systems.

At the core of the Richmond's air defense capabilities is a 32-cell vertical launching system (VLS), which houses the Sea Ceptor surface-to-air missile.

This missile system has a range of approximately 25km and is designed to neutralize airborne threats such as enemy aircraft and sea-skimming missiles.

Supplementing her air defense, the Richmond is armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles, which provide offensive capabilities against surface threats.

The frigate's ability to skim the water's surface and its homing radar capabilities make it incredibly adept at both tracking targets and evading countermeasures.

Weapons and aviation capability

Richmond also carries Sting Ray torpedoes, which are tailored to target submarines. This array of weapons allows the vessel to engage air, surface and sub-surface threats.

For naval gunfire support and engagements with other surface vessels, the Richmond is armed with the 4.5-inch MK 8 naval gun, which offers rapid-fire of high-explosive rounds against both land and sea targets.

Complementing the main gun are two 30mm cannons and a series of smaller machine guns that form a cohesive, layered defense strategy that can neutralize fast attack vessels such as corvettes or unmanned aerial threats.

HMS Richmond is defined by her aviation capability.

A helipad, flight deck and fully enclosed hangar can operate either an AW159 Wildcat or an AW101 Merlin helicopter, extending the frigate's surveillance, strike and anti-submarine range.

Each aircraft is equipped with weapons, torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles and crew-operated heavy machine guns, enabling maritime patrol operations and anti-submarine strikes.

From precision missile systems to integrated aviation operations, HMS Richmond exemplifies the modern frigate -- multi-mission capable, networked and built to meet the challenges of 21st-century maritime conflict.