HMS Ambuscade (F172)
HMS Ambuscade was the third Type 21 frigate of the Royal Navy and entered service in August 1975. She was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd, Glasgow,Scotland. She was sold to Pakistan in 1993 as PNS Tariq and is currently under discussion to be brought back to the UK for preservation as a museum ship.
Commanding Officers
1974-1976 Cdr Anthony P Harris
1976-1977 Cdr Peter C Abbott
1977-1980 Cdr Michael P Gretton
1980-1982 Cdr Bryan Burns
1982-1983 Cdr Peter J Mosse
1983-1984 Cdr Anthony J Bolingbroke
1984-1987 Cdr John B Harvey
1987-1988 Cdr Steve V Mackay
1988-1990 Cdr Michael A James
1990-1991 Cdr Michael M Knowles
1991-1993 Cdr Stephen R Kirby
Royal Navy Service
Ambuscade took part in the Falklands War and by the mid-1980s was suffering from cracking in her hull. She was taken in for refitting, with a steel plate being welded down each side of the ship. At the same time modifications were made to reduce hull noise. Exocet launchers were also added in ‘B’ position later on in 1984/5 and 3″ launchers relocated to 02 deck midships.
In 1983 Ambuscade collided with USS Dale in the Indian Ocean, resulting in part of her bows being torn away. Ambuscade was laid up in Bombay for 6 weeks while a new bow was constructed and fitted.