Leander Type 12
The "Leander" class of general-purpose frigates were an improvement of the Type 12 "Whitby" and "Rothesay" class of anti-submarine ships. The first "Leanders" were commissioned in the early 1960's and by 1973, they were the largest class of major warships in the Royal Navy. In total 26 ships were built for Royal Navy service and the design proved so successful that 4 ship were built for New Zealand and Chile. An additional 14 ships based on this class were constructed by the Australian, Indian and Dutch navies. While most of these ships were eventually scrapped, some are still in service after being sold by the Royal Navy.
British Leander Class frigate of 2500 tons displacement built by the HM Dockyard at Portsmouth and launched in 1967. She was armed with twin 4.5 inch guns and two 40 mm anti- aircraft guns and a Limbo anti-submarine mortar. She carried a Wasp helicopter and was manned by a crew of 251.
These general purpose frigates completed the change from the previous pattern of special purpose frigates which had dominated since the 1951 construction programme, and which had started with the Tribal class. Later however, with the Ikara conversions (A/S - Anti-Submarine) in particular, specialism returned as the Royal Navy's role within NATO became principally an anti-submarine one. They were in commission from the 1960's until the early 1990's. As these ships got older and needs changed to meet new demands and threats from more advanced weaponry, most of these ships had their twin 4.5in Mk. 6 turrets replaced with either Ikara, Exocet or Seawolf missile systems.
Later refits and conversions changed the initial configuration significantly - basic details of changes to main armament only are mentioned. Batch 3 had a 43ft beam. Batches 2 and 3 had Lynx helicopters. The three ships Ajax, Dido, Leander, were planned as the last three of the 'Rothesay' class.
This class of general purpose frigates has proved enormously successful with 26 'Leanders' commissioned at one time by the Royal Navy, Australia, India and the Netherlands built the type under license, and Chile and New Zealand have bought some of the 'Leanders' as they were retired from the Royal Navy. Numerous refits created six discrete sub-groups within the Royal Navy and the foreign 'Leanders' tended to acquire better weapons and sensor fits than the British vessels. There are no longer any 'Leanders' in service with the Royal Navy.
