HMS Exeter, pennant number 68, was a York-class heavy cruiser of the Royal Navy that served in World War II. She was laid down on 1 August 1928 at the Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth, Devon. She was launched on 18 July 1929 and completed on 27 July 1931. She fought against the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee at the 1939 Battle of the River Plate, suffering extensive damage that caused a long refit.