The previous HMS Middleton was a Type 2 Hunt Class Destroyer, she was launched in 1941 and her role was to support mine laying operations in the Atlantic and anti-aircraft protection for the north Russian Convoys. At the end of the the Second World War HMS Middleton returned to Portsmouth.  She achieved six battle honours during her four years of active service.  She remained in reserve until 1955 and was eventually broken up in February 1958.

The present HMS Middleton was accepted into service on 4th July 1984. HMS Middleton is the seventh Hunt class mine countermeasures vessel to be built for the Royal Navy.  She is a member of the Second Mine Countermeasures Squadron, based in Portsmouth.  The ships hull and superstructure are built entirely from Glass Reinforced Plastic to minimise the threat from magnetic mines.  The Hunt class are the only Royal Navy ships capable of both mine hunting and mine sweeping operations.  Mechanical or more advanced acoustic and magnetic sweeps are towed behind the ship to dispose of buoyant or influence mines.  Alternatively advanced hull mounted sonar's are used to locate mines, which are then investigated and destroyed using the ship's remote controlled mini submarines or her team of mine clearance divers. The ship therefore has the ability to counter all types of mine used in modern warfare.