Babcock meets HMS Somerset ready for sea date
Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
Somerset will return to the RN fleet following sea trials for operational tasking.
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
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser]()
RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
-
![US Coast Guard to receive the largest single acquisition funding in its history]()
US Coast Guard to receive the largest single acquisition funding in its history
The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
-
![US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter]()
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
![US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy]()
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
