HMS Sutherland
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Brtiain’s Type 23 Duke Class frigates were originally envisioned as pure anti-submarine vessels, to the extent of being planned with no other armament. The 1982 Falklands War quickly put paid to that idea, however, and the Type 23s would end up being commissioned from 1989-2001 and fitted with a main gun, Sea Wolf short range anti-air missiles, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles to accompany her torpedoes, decoys, et. al. These changes turned the frigates from specialized sub-hunters into versatile multi-role combatants that play a key role in the British fleet. The Royal Navy is set to continue shrinking in size (see esp. diagram) due to rising ship costs, and even though key platforms like aircraft carriers and amphibious ships may be more capable, the mid-tier combat role filled by frigates is not slated for new construction any time soon. As such, upgrading the Navy’s 13 remaining Type 23s to keep them in service is vitally important to Britain’s future force.

As part of those upgrade efforts, the Type 23 frigates will receive: Sonar 2087 towed sonars, the Royal Navy’s latest and most sophisticated submarine hunting system (Thales UK, GBP 166 million for machines that go ‘ping!’); Upgraded vertical-launch Sea Wolf Block 2 air defence missiles to help counter supersonic anti-ship missiles (BAE Systems Insyte with MBDA, GBP 300 million); an improved 114mm Vickers Mk 8 Mod 1 main gun, capable of firing long-range ammunition; and a reshaped stern to cut fuel use. Upgrades are also being performed during maintenance periods, some of which are significant to the ship’s overall capabilities…

Events & Milestones

HMS Iron Duke
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Dec 17/07: The UK MoD announces that Work to install the first fit of a new, upgraded NATO Radial Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear (CBRN) filter system to HMS Iron Duke has been completed as part of the ship’s 10-month maintenance period in Portsmouth, UK. The system will enable more cost effective through-life support through less frequent requirement for filter changes, and may end up being retrofitted to all ships in class. Installation wasmn’t easy, however, requiring new installations to the ship’s superstructure as well as a considerable revamp to existing in-board fittings.

Fleet Support Limited (FSL) worked with the Marine Environment Survivability and Habitability and Frigates Integrated Project Teams, and the frigate’s maintenance program saw 40% growth in workload over its 10 months. Externally, the frigate was fitted with a new transom flap to improve fuel economy, a considerable number of sea tubes were replaced, radar trackers were removed and overhauled, and finally an extensive painting package was completed. Internal work included improvements to the ship’s machinery, particularly the gearbox, a new aircraft handling system that lets the ship operate large EH101 Merlin helicopter, and enhanced accomodation for the crew.

Dec 6/07: Britain’s MoD announced that the F81 HMS Sutherland would be the latest to receive these refits, at a cost of GBP 35 million (about $71.6 million). New equipment valued at GBP 18 million will be installed as part of a general overhaul of the ship under a GBP 17 million contract with Babcock Marine at their Rosyth dockyard in Scotland.