HMS Gloucester was launched on 2 November 1982 and commissioned on 11 September 1985

Gloucester served in the Gulf War in 1991 where shot down an Iraqi Silkworm missile - fired at the USS Missouri - with a Sea Dart missile. This was the first successful missile to missile engagement by any navy. 

The ship's Lynx engaged seven Iraqi warships. She spent the longest period upthreat of any coalition warship. As a result of her service in the war, her Captain and Flight Commander were awarded the DSC.

During the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict Gloucester was the first Royal Navy vessel to evacuate British nationals from Beirut on 18 July 2006. She made three trips taking evacuees to Cyprus, and was the last Royal Navy ship to leave Beirut. She underwent a refit at Rosyth in 2007. On the morning of 26 August 2010 she intercepted the yacht Tortuga, smuggling £4 million of cocaine, during Gloucester's deployment to the South Atlantic, where she stayed until early 2011.

 On 20 September 2010 the government of Uruguay denied Gloucester access to Montevideo as a result of the Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute.

Gloucester returned to Portsmouth for the final time on 24 May 2011 and decommissioned on 30 June 2011.

 On 22 September 2015 she left Portsmouth for breaking