After being decommissioned in May 2024 following more than 30 years of service, the United Kingdom is reportedly considering the possible sale of the frigate HMS Argyll to the Chilean Navy. Initially, the ship was expected to be used as a training vessel at the Clyde Naval Base, but recent reports suggest it could be transferred to a foreign country. The frigate, which had been part of the Royal Navy’s fleet since 1989, was one of the longest-serving ships of its class and participated in multiple operational deployments worldwide.
Belonging to the Duke class, known as the Type 23, it was originally designed for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War. However, over time, it evolved into a multipurpose platform capable of carrying out a wide range of missions. Due to personnel reductions and the need to reallocate resources for the new Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, the UK decided to accelerate the decommissioning of several units, including HMS Argyll.
The frigate’s refit began in August 2022 at Devonport Dockyard but was suspended before completion. Although the ship eventually left dry dock, several of its systems, including its main radar and deck equipment, were not reinstalled. This opened the possibility of selling it to an allied country, with Chile emerging as a potential buyer, considering that the Chilean Navy already operates three Type 23 frigates acquired from the Royal Navy in 2005. These ships were recently modernized to extend their operational lifespan.
In 2017, Chile signed a contract with Lockheed Martin Canada to upgrade its Type 23 frigates with the CMS 330 combat management system, also used in the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigates. The modernization included installing a TRS-4D three-dimensional radar and the Sea Ceptor missile system with MBDA CAMM interceptors, replacing the obsolete Sea Wolf system. Additionally, improvements were made in electronic warfare and connectivity, with participation from the state-owned ASMAR shipyard and local companies such as DESA and TDS.
If the potential sale of HMS Argyll materializes, the ship could undergo a complete modernization and join the Chilean Fleet or be used as a source of spare parts for Chile’s other three Type 23 frigates, despite some differences due to its post-LIFEX modernization.
Type 23 frigates have a standard displacement of 4,900 tons. Their CODLAG propulsion system combines four Paxman Valenta 12CM diesel generators, two GEC electric motors, and two Rolls-Royce Spey SM1C gas turbines, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 28 knots. These features have enabled them to maintain a high level of operational capability even after more than three decades of service.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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