Babcock completes Estonian vessel upgrade
Babcock has successfully completed a capability upgrade on the first of three Estonian Navy minehunter vessels at its Rosyth facilities in Fife, Scotland, the company announced on 31 January.
The Sandown-class EML Admiral Cowan minehunter vessel underwent a five month docking period at the shipyard between July and December 2018. The vessel will now return to Estonia before undergoing trials in the North Sea in May to demonstrate its full operational capability.
The installation of an upgraded mission package on the minehunter was carried out under a contract awarded by Thales UK. The mission package included fitting Thales' Sonar 2193, an upgraded navigation system, as well as the Thales M-CUBE C2 system along with several other upgrades.
The second Estonian Navy minehunter vessel, EML Sakala, arrived at the Babcock Rosyth site in December 2018 to undergo the same package of work. This will be followed by EML Ugandi in late spring 2019.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK to join US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine assembly effort to speed up construction]()
UK to join US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine assembly effort to speed up construction
The expansion of the Virginia-class submarine construction to UK shores could accelerate the project as US shipbuilders continue to fall short of delivery goals.
-
![What new technologies could be involved in UK Atlantic Bastion initiative?]()
What new technologies could be involved in UK Atlantic Bastion initiative?
As new details emerge on the UK Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO, three main areas of opportunity for new technology are the focal point.
-
![NATO naval exercises map out future USV requirements but raise questions on acquisition]()
NATO naval exercises map out future USV requirements but raise questions on acquisition
Uncrewed surface vessels have shifted from a desirable capability to a critical one for navies. But should these systems be bought outright, rented as a service or rapidly built using commercial off-the-shelf components?
-
![How will the Canadian Coast Guard’s transfer to the DND umbrella affect its capabilities?]()
How will the Canadian Coast Guard’s transfer to the DND umbrella affect its capabilities?
By joining the defence department, the coast guard will need to acquire new solutions and adapt its in-service capabilities to ensure interoperability with the Canadian Armed Forces.
