Babcock begins upkeep of Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll
HMS Argyll in Babcock's Devonport facility. (Photo: Babcock)
Babcock has begun post-life extension (LIFEX) upkeep of Royal Navy Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll at its Devonport facility.
During the works, Babcock will overhaul equipment onboard the ship and carry out design changes to cater for new capabilities such as communications upgrades and mixed crewing.
The Type 23 frigate will also be treated to a full spray coat of new paint to the outer bottom and ship side.
The vessel is being prepared for a Lloyds structural survey to achieve an early full ship assessment in as soon as nine weeks.
Argyll is the longest-serving Type 23 frigate and was the first to receive a LIFEX programme in 2015.
Babcock is continuing LIFEX work across the Type 23 fleet with another frigate, HMS Somerset, achieving its ready-for-sea date and commencing trials earlier this year.
HMS Iron Duke was recently undocked, and HMS St Albans is preparing to flood up later this month.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Saab signs modernisation deal for Sweden’s coastal anti-ship missile capability]()
Saab signs modernisation deal for Sweden’s coastal anti-ship missile capability
Sweden’s Baltic coastal defence will be upgraded with new missile options.
-
![Pakistan Navy takes second OPV 2600 vessel from Damen]()
Pakistan Navy takes second OPV 2600 vessel from Damen
The PNS Yamama completes the class of maritime security vessels.
-
![South American shipyards end 2024 positively as regional navies bet on local manufacturers]()
South American shipyards end 2024 positively as regional navies bet on local manufacturers
The year ends with several South American navies undergoing ambitious programmes to modernise their fleets. A common denominator is that regional services want domestically manufactured surface vessels and even submarines.
