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
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA]()
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
-
![L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts]()
L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
-
![BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft]()
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
-
![Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA]()
Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.
