Mine Hunting Capability Mother Ship
HMS Stirling Castle (M01) is the Royal Navy’s primary cutting-edge mine countermeasures support ship, serving as a revolutionary floating "mothership" for autonomous and remotely operated underwater systems. Formally commissioned into service in July 2025, from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the 5,500-ton vessel represents a dramatic shift away from traditional, crewed mine hunting warships. Instead, she leverages state-of-the-art robotic technology to locate, assess, and neutralise underwater explosive threats while keeping human sailors safely out of harm's way.
The painting is on a 48 x 30 in. canvas and was officially commissioned by the ship, for the ceremonial commissioning on 12 June 2026 at Grangemouth. The actual ship will no doubt eventually be painted grey.