Babcock meets HMS Somerset ready for sea date
On 29 March, UK shipbuilder Babcock announced it had achieved the ready for sea date for Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset at its Devonport site following a lengthy refit.
The frigate began an intensive overhaul at Babcock's facility in Devonport in November 2018, including repairs and updates to the hull and living facilities.
During the overhaul, the ship's Sea Wolf system was replaced with the Sea Ceptor air defence system, and improvements to critical electronic equipment were completed.
The Babcock team also replaced the ship's four diesel generators.
HMS Iron Duke is the next Type 23 frigate scheduled to exit Babcock's Frigate Support Centre and continue overhaul works.
Later this year, two more frigates, Argyll and Westminster, will arrive for refit work.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
UK opens new submarine centre to support nuclear deterrent vessels
The Submarine Availability Support Hub is the latest in a string of government investments in submarine warfare.
-
Royal Australian Navy takes first Arafura OPV for testing
Though the delivery marks progress, the delayed programme was slashed to six vessels in 2024.
-
Indonesian Navy changes names of Italian multipurpose combat ships
The renamed vessels were part of a modular class originally built for the Italian Navy, but will now serve in the Indonesian fleet.
-
Double SCHOTTEL deal advances two ship programmes
SCHOTTEL has announced its thrusters will be fitted to both Polish and Portuguese programmes.
-
Denmark commits to three new Arctic vessels in light of Trump’s Greenland comments
The vessels have been a necessity for years, but now Denmark is planning a stronger Arctic presence.
-
UK upgrades threat detection systems on its Royal Navy warships
The news of the upgrade comes just a week after UK Royal Navy (RN) vessels escorted a Russian spy ship out of the English Channel.