UK faces £100 million bill for frigate refit
The refit of the Duke-class frigate HMS Westminster is estimated to cost £100 million. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
The cost of keeping the frigate fleet going poses a challenge for UK RN.
The refit of UK RN Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster is estimated to cost £100 million ($127 million), according to UK Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge.
Cartlidge revealed the price tag in response to a Parliamentary question.
In response to another question, the Minister declined to disclose when the refit of HMS Westminster was estimated to be completed.
Related Articles
Rolls-Royce awarded £85 million to support RN Type 23 engine
End of the line for frigate HMS Montrose
GA-ASI gears up to trial Mojave UAV from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier
Cartlidge said: ‘We do not disclose the date refits are expected to conclude, as this could give rise to the release of operationally sensitive information.’
Previously, it was disclosed that the refit of another Type 23 frigate, HMS Iron Duke, was estimated to cost around £103 million. This figure is subject to final negotiations with Babcock.
HMS Iron Duke’s refit ran from 2018 to 2023 and took some 1.7 million hours of work.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity]()
Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity
The UK government’s £8.4 billion Dreadnought Phase 4 investment sets aside £2.5 billion for the wider submarine supply chain, opening new work beyond BAE Systems’ prime contract.
-
![A400M trial demonstrates airborne deployment of uncrewed surface vessel]()
A400M trial demonstrates airborne deployment of uncrewed surface vessel
Kraken Technology Group’s A400M airdrop of a K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel points to a new way for navies to insert USVs into contested waters, bypassing ports and motherships.
-
![Babcock onshores 85% of Canada’s submarine supply chain as it eyes future CPSP programme]()
Babcock onshores 85% of Canada’s submarine supply chain as it eyes future CPSP programme
By moving most of the Royal Canadian Navy’s submarine supply chain into Canada, Babcock Canada is driving to strengthen sovereign sustainment capabilities while preparing to compete to maintain the future Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.
