 In 2003, "Inverness" was one of a number of Royal Navy warships taking part in a multi-national exercises off Scotland, which involved ships and aircraft from a number of the world's navies, including French, German and American units.HMS "Inverness" was awarded the Freedom of the City of Inverness in 2004.In July 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that as part of the restructuring of the Navy, the three oldest "Sandown"-class minehunters would be retired by April 2005.