On Friday, January 31, the Royal Navy announced via its social media channels that the life-extension and modernization work on its last Type 23 frigate, HMS Sutherland, had been completed. The work was carried out by the British company Babcock, which stated that the upgrades would allow the frigate to remain in active service until the mid-2030s.
Expanding on the details of the work performed, the Royal Navy reported that HMS Sutherland underwent a complete structural overhaul at the shipyard, resulting in over 11,500 weld repairs and more than 800 steel inserts added to the hull. In addition, the ship’s engine and generator areas were rebuilt to improve onboard distribution, which also included the installation of a significant number of new pipes (estimated at up to 600 meters) and cabling (approximately 8 km).
Furthermore, the repair and modernization period included the integration of the advanced 2150 sonar system in the ship’s bow, requiring the removal of the previously installed dome and a complex high-altitude operation by specialized teams. Additionally, the vessel’s original Sea Wolf missile system was replaced with the new Sea Ceptor system, which has already proven its effectiveness in operations carried out by its sister ship, HMS Richmond, deployed in the Middle East. The entire process lasted a total of 49 months, marking the second LIFEX process undertaken by the Royal Navy.
Regarding the repair and modernization efforts, Babcock’s Marine Sector CEO, Sir Nick Hine, stated: “After a significant maintenance program, it is fantastic to see HMS Sutherland commencing sea trials and on its way to achieving full operational capability before rejoining the fleet. Our team has provided reliable expertise, drawing on our extensive experience in lifecycle support to prepare the ship before it resumes its journey to support national defense. We are proud to support these critical naval assets and to work alongside our colleagues at the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy.”
Finally, while the completion of work on HMS Sutherland marks the end of the Royal Navy’s LIFEX program for its Type 23 frigates, Babcock remains responsible for maintaining these ships until their retirement. This includes HMS Kent, which is currently at the Frigate Support Centre undergoing post-upgrade maintenance. Looking ahead, the Royal Navy is preparing for the introduction of the new Type 26 frigates as their permanent replacements, with production currently underway by BAE Systems.
Image credits: Royal Navy
You may also like: The Royal Navy has reportedly changed the name of the last of its new Astute-class nuclear submarines to avoid sensitivities with France
