HMS Kent, was a County-class heavy cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was laid down at Chatham Dockyard on 15 November 1924, launched 16 March 1926. In 1928, she was commissioned as flagship of the 5th Cruiser Squadron on the China Station . In 1937, she returned to Chatham and underwent a major refit, which included increasing her armour. Once done, Kent returned to the Far East.

In World War II, December 1939 saw her transfer to the 4th Cruiser Squadron in the East Indies, although she did not stay there long. By August the squadron had moved to the Mediterranean and was involved in protection of convoys. The following month she suffered a serious torpedo hit and needed repairs at Alexandria and Simonstown to allow her to get back to the United Kingdom.

Extensive repairs at Devonport Dockyard followed. These were made worse by a bomb hitting her while in dock. Repairs were completed in time for her to recommission in September 1941 when she joined the 1st Cruiser Squadron, part of the Home Fleet. Her tasks included support of Russian Convoys .

At the end of 1944 she was involved in a collision with a tanker. After repairs on Clydeside she was retained at Gareloch as Flagship of the Reserve Fleet. In October 1946 she was moved to Chatham to act as flagship of the reserve fleet there. During the Summer of 1947, her armament was removed and she was then used for target trials. Finally, in January 1948 she was sold and moved to Troon for breaking up.

See HMS Kent for other ships of the name.