HMS Ardent was part of the Type 21 Club. Eight warships officially called Amazon Class Frigates.
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Concept of the Type 21
Designed by private shipyards who stated they could deliver the new frigate at a significantly lower price (£3.5 million compared with the £5 million price of the contemporary Leander class. The Type 21 Frigate was a relatively cheap, yet modern, general purpose escort vessel.
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Falklands Service
Except for HMS Amazon all the class took part in the 1982 Falklands War as the 4th Frigate Squadron. They were heavily involved, performing extensive shore-bombardment missions and providing anti-submarine and anti-aircraft duties for the task force.
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Legacy
The Type 31 Frigate HMS Active is named after the Type 21 frigate which served in the Falklands War and in support of Britain’s Overseas Territories, symbolising forward deployment of ships overseas which will be a key mission of these next generation Royal Navy Frigates.
Type 21 Club Frigate Association
Initially set up in 2008 by members of the HMS Ambuscade and HMS Ardent associations, with other like minded former crewmates, the Type 21 Association, more commonly known as the ‘Type 21 Club’, was formed to bring together all those who served in the Royal Navy Type 21 (Amazon Class) frigates. The eight ships of the class entered service between 1970 and 1975; they were Amazon, Antelope, Ambuscade, Arrow, Active, Alacrity, Ardent and Avenger. The first all gas turbine powered ships, they were known for their distinctive sleek lines and good turn of speed. The 21s became the 4th Frigate Squadron, based at Devonport and seven of the eight ships served in the 1982 Falklands conflict. Sadly two of the ships, Ardent and Antelope, were lost during the conflict with many lives lost.
The Club numbers some 2000 plus members and includes many Commanding Officers. No membership fees are charged and all its income arises from the annual reunions.
Ten such reunions have now been held with ex 21ers returning from all corners of the globe. Their generosity has allowed a Type 21 memorial and bench to be installed at the National Memorial Arboretum as well providing for charitable donations to worthy causes the Club supports.