The modern British term no longer describes a ship held at quarter crew. In the Falklands, HMS Forth, a Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessel, performs presence, flag-showing, and coastguard-like duties comparable to older sloops. Its stationing also makes it a tripwire force even though the vessel is not intended to serve as a full combat warship. The name is also applied to the anti-submarine warfare ship that protects the strategic deterrent as submarines enter or leave port, commonly a Type 23 frigate in the period discussed. Russian usage applies the term to patrol boats, illustrating that the modern label does not identify one standard type of vessel. Across many navies, peacetime functions once associated with guard ships have instead moved to coastguards and patrol forces.
Chapter · 22:41-24:23
What guard ship means in the modern Royal Navy
Modern British guard ships are fully crewed patrol or combat vessels, including HMS Forth in the Falklands and frigates protecting the strategic deterrent.