Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

Babcock refits frigate three months ahead of schedule

Babcock has delivered Type 23 frigate HMS St. Albans back to the Royal Navy for sea trials three months ahead of the planned schedule, following an extensive and comprehensive refit.
Once her current sea trials are completed, HMS St. Albans, with her 178-strong crew, will return to sea as the most advanced, equipped, and capable Type 23 frigate in the Royal Navy’s fleet, boasting next-generation weapons systems and radar.

See - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/babcock ... -schedule/

From Sea Wolf to Sea Ceptor – the Royal Navy’s defensive shield

In this article, we look at the Sea Wolf missile, and its successor, Sea Ceptor which was formally accepted into RN service in 2018.

https://www.navylookout.com/from-sea-wo ... ve-shield/

HMS Northumberland
Today HMS NORTHUMBERLAND is formally handed over to Babcockplc to begin a major Upkeep period.
All of us would like to thank our friends & families for your support throughout this commission during which we have steamed over 185,000nm in defence of our Nation's interests

Navy Lookout
HMS Sutherland floated out of the dry dock at Babcock plc Devonport this week as her approx 42-month LIFEX refit nears completion.
She is the last T23 to receive Sea Ceptor and is the third to have PGMU (engine upgrade).
Remedial work on the hull involved 700 steel inserts and 11,500 welding repairs.
See - https://www.navylookout.com/end-in-sigh ... programme/
And - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... -the-water

Navy Lookout
HMS Richmond arrived in Valletta Malta yesterday on her way home from operations in the Red Sea.

HMS Richmond sailed from Gibraltar sooner than expected last night in rain and thunderstorm.
Possibly urgent tasking to monitor Russian naval vessels transiting the Strait of Gibraltar.
2 x drone kill markings on HMS Richmond Sea Ceptor missile silo.

Navy Lookout
Welcome home HMS Richmond
Returning to Devonport this afternoon following action in the Red Sea.
Proudly flying battle ensign and Duke of Richmond's flag.
More photos https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 17/photo/2

Richmond Dress of the Day Anti Flash Gear

British frigate returns home flying battle ensign

HMS Richmond spent nearly six weeks’ in the line of fire around the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden, where merchant shipping has come under repeated attack from Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Richmond was called upon just once to fire her weapons in anger to thwart such attacks, firing Sea Ceptor missiles to down incoming drones in the largest swarm attack to date: rebels launched 57 missiles and drones from various sites in Yemen in the small hours of Saturday March 9.

Continues https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british ... le-ensign/

Navy Lookout
HMS Duncan coming towards end of maintenance period in Portsmouth.
Likely being prepared to relieve HMS Diamond in the Red Sea.
Video https://twitter.com/i/status/1780494573909008867