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| Four Royal Navy frigates in Portsmouth Harbour for sale | Four Royal Navy frigates in Portsmouth Harbour for sale |
| (1 day later) | |
| Four decommissioned Royal Navy ships have been put up for sale by the Ministry of Defence. | Four decommissioned Royal Navy ships have been put up for sale by the Ministry of Defence. |
| The Type 22 frigates HMS Cumberland, HMS Campbeltown, HMS Chatham and HMS Cornwall are currently moored in Portsmouth Harbour. | The Type 22 frigates HMS Cumberland, HMS Campbeltown, HMS Chatham and HMS Cornwall are currently moored in Portsmouth Harbour. |
| The navy is open to offers for the former Devonport-based ships, including being scrapped and recycled, reused or sunk to become artificial reefs. | The navy is open to offers for the former Devonport-based ships, including being scrapped and recycled, reused or sunk to become artificial reefs. |
| Bids must be in by 23 January with viewings in February and March. | Bids must be in by 23 January with viewings in February and March. |
| The government's Disposal Services Authority, which is handling the sale, wants to award at least one of the frigates to a UK ship recycler to determine the capacity of the UK's industry in the field. | The government's Disposal Services Authority, which is handling the sale, wants to award at least one of the frigates to a UK ship recycler to determine the capacity of the UK's industry in the field. |
| Mike Hancock, Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South, said he believed it would be unlikely the ships, which were decommissioned in 2011, could be saved from the scrap yard. | Mike Hancock, Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South, said he believed it would be unlikely the ships, which were decommissioned in 2011, could be saved from the scrap yard. |
| 'Rusting away' | 'Rusting away' |
| He added: "I've seen since my childhood in Portsmouth that this has been the traditional last place for ships waiting to go. | He added: "I've seen since my childhood in Portsmouth that this has been the traditional last place for ships waiting to go. |
| "It's sad to see these beautiful ships literally rusting away. | "It's sad to see these beautiful ships literally rusting away. |
| "I think the navy would be super optimistic to believe they could bring them into commission again. | "I think the navy would be super optimistic to believe they could bring them into commission again. |
| "I think the reef idea could work, the scrap value of these ships is not enormous, it might be someone is interested in putting them down. | "I think the reef idea could work, the scrap value of these ships is not enormous, it might be someone is interested in putting them down. |
| "[But] the navy hasn't got a choice really, they will be going for scrap." | "[But] the navy hasn't got a choice really, they will be going for scrap." |
| A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said: "The MoD considers all options when disposing of military equipment to ensure the best financial return for the taxpayer. | |
| "We have received a number of expressions of interest... but the competition is at an early stage and it would not be appropriate to comment further." | |
| Originally designed as a specialist anti-submarine ship, the Type 22 frigates evolved into a powerful surface combatant with substantial anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons systems. | Originally designed as a specialist anti-submarine ship, the Type 22 frigates evolved into a powerful surface combatant with substantial anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons systems. |
| They were also known for having excellent command and control, and communication facilities, making them ideal flagships on deployments, with a complement of about 280 crew. | They were also known for having excellent command and control, and communication facilities, making them ideal flagships on deployments, with a complement of about 280 crew. |
| Last year, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal was sold as scrap for £3m. | Last year, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal was sold as scrap for £3m. |