HMS Lancaster set to rejoin fleet
Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster is moving closer to rejoining the fleet following a two year overhaul programme in Devonport.
The vessel is expected to be back in its homeport of Portsmouth by the end of 2019.
Lancaster has undergoing undergone extensive upgrades including installation of the new Artisan 3D radar, improved navigational radar and new-generation Sea Ceptor missile system. The backbone of the ship has also been strengthened with 200 new steel inserts fitted to reinforce Lancaster in heavy seas.
The new kit will be commissioned in the autumn ahead of planned initial sea trials early in 2020.
The whole Type 23 class is undergoing the mid-life refit that will allow the frigates to continue up to the early 2030s.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters
The USCG exercised a $507 million contract option for the acquisition of 10 extra FRCs. This new order will raise the total number of Sentinel-class vessels procured by the service from 67 to 77.
-
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.