Vigilance can report that the Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond last week began an extensive £20M refit at Devonport dockyard, which includes installing the £4M Seawolf missile system.
The Seawolf short range ship defence missile system is a £300M upgrade programme being rolled out across the fleet of Type 23 frigates and is designed to combat the increasing threat of faster, lower flying and more maneuverable missiles. This system can track a target the size of a cricket ball at twice the speed of sound from over 20 miles away and launch two missiles to destroy it.
According to a Defence source the MOD signed the contract for the refit in September with Babcock and the work will be carried out at their Devonport facility. The work is expected to last until next spring, with the ship due to return to the Fleet in the summer following sea trials.
Vigilance learnt that in addition to routine maintenance work, the refit contract includes a number of upgrades to better equip the vessel for her worldwide roles. These include installation of a new £800K command system that will be more cost effective to maintain and is compatible with other new ships entering service.
A new ‘brain’ of the ship’s weapons systems and upgraded communications systems are also being installed across the Type 23 Frigate Force to enhance operational capability and interoperability for the future.
An upgrade to the 30 mm automatic guns is also being carried out to extend their effective range and accuracy.
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff said: “This refit work will see HMS Richmond follow previous Type 23 frigates in benefiting from a range of essential upgrades that will maintain her at peak effectiveness. These frigates continue to form the backbone of the Royal Navy’s ability to deploy worldwide in defence of the UK’s interests.”
Whilst Rear Admiral P D Hudson CBE, Chief of Staff Operations Capability, Naval Command Headquarters said: “This important work will not only deliver an essential refresh of the ship’s war fighting capabilities in a wide range of operational environments, but will also improve the living conditions for the ship’s company. We look forward to HMS Richmond returning to the Fleet ready for the challenges of warfare in the 21st Century.”