HMS Antrim (D18) was a County-class guided missile destroyer of the British Royal Navy, launched on 19 October 1967. Constructed as part of the County-class, she featured a formidable warship profile designed for both anti-aircraft and anti-ship operations. During her service, she first commissioned in 1970, initially operating in home waters and the Mediterranean, engaging in NATO exercises, fleet deployments, and diplomatic visits, such as her 1976 visit to Stockholm for the Swedish royal wedding. In the mid-1970s, Antrim underwent significant modifications, including the removal of her 'B' turret and the installation of four Exocet missile launchers to enhance her anti-ship capabilities. To address vulnerabilities, armor plates were added to the missile containers after initial trials revealed activation issues from small arms fire. Her armament and sensor suite made her a versatile platform for various operational roles. Antrim's most notable service occurred during the Falklands War in 1982. As part of the British task force, she served as the flagship for Operation Paraquet, leading the recovery of South Georgia. Her Westland Wessex HAS.3 helicopter played a crucial role in rescuing personnel, locating the Argentine submarine Santa Fe, and conducting anti-submarine attacks that damaged and ultimately scuttled the submarine. Antrim also fired her 4.5-inch guns in support of ground forces and engaged in air defense, narrowly avoiding bombs during the landings at San Carlos Water. Her operational history includes a successful anti-submarine operation conducted solely by helicopters, marking a historic milestone. Her Wessex helicopter, now preserved at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, bears the scars of combat and displays her operational achievements. Decommissioned in 1984, Antrim was sold to Chile and renamed Almirante Cochrane. She underwent further refits, including the addition of Barak 1 missiles, before her final decommissioning in 2006 and subsequent scrapping in China. Her service highlights her significance as a versatile and active vessel in Cold War naval operations and the Falklands conflict.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.