In 1973 Charybdis spent time in the Second Cod War when Iceland wanted to extend their control of the fishing waters from 12 to 50 miles (19 to 80 km).

From 1979 to 1982, Charybdis underwent modernisation that included the fitting of Exocet and Sea Wolf missiles, and the removal of her twin 4.5 in guns.

The refit was cut short and Charybdis was rushed back into service due to the Argentinean invasion of the Falkland Islands.

She was due to visit America and the Falklands in 1991, but was retasked to return to the eastern Mediterranean to act as Sea Wolf protection for the flagship Ark Royal during the first Gulf War.

She was sunk during a Joint Maritime Course sinking exercise on 11 June 1993 off of the Benbecula Rocket Range in the Western Isles of Scotland.