RN Frigates: Type 23 Duke Class

[Pelican]

HMS Somerset loading Sea Ceptor missiles at the UAHF in Portsmouth today.

See - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 9550013640

[Pelican]

Engineers working on Artisan radar at the top of HMS Iron Duke mainmast.

3 Photos at - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 0682319065

[Pelican]

After 1.2 million man-hours of work during her LIFEX refit by Babcock plc in Devonport HMS St Albans ship’s staff move on board (SSMOB) achieved.

(Babcock team photo)

See article - https://www.babcockinternational.com/ne ... -on-board/

And - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... ear-revamp

[Pelican]

The uncertain future of HMS Westminster

The fate of HMS Westminster, a Type 23 frigate, was a focal point of discussion in a recent Defence Select Committee session.
The deliberations featured Rear Admiral Steve Moorhouse and Admiral Sir Ben Key and shed light on the challenges of maintaining an aging fleet amid transitioning to newer vessels.
See - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-unc ... stminster/

[Pelican]

British frigate returns home

HMS Portland, a Type 23 frigate, received a warm welcome upon returning to its home port in Devonport, after months of operations in the North Atlantic and surrounding UK waters.

Embarking from Devonport in early August, HMS Portland’s mission included the shadowing of Russian naval vessels and visits to ports from Belfast to Nova Scotia.

Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british ... urns-home/
Also see - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... turns-home

[Pelican]

First view of Royal Navy warship equipped with the Naval Strike Missile.

HMS Somerset inbound to Devonport this morning following a visit to Haakonsvern naval base in Norway where the missile canisters were mounted for the first time.
Photos at - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 9323893959

Over a year since it was announced and mechanical problems with HMS Somerset have delayed the work to fit the missile but at last, the interim replacement for the obsolete Harpoon block 1C in RN service is here.
Officially called the Maritime Offensive Strike System (MOSS) by the RN, this highly stealthy missile also has land attack capabilities.
See - https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy- ... e-missile/

[Pelican]

Report on HMS Richmond recent visit to Tallinn and 3-weeks in the Baltic Sea providing force protection for JEF Nation vessels.

See - https://news.err.ee/1609199071/feature- ... in-tallinn

[Pelican]

Navy Lookout

Telegraph: Sheridan Dani reporting HMS Argyll as well as HMS Westminster to be scrapped due to RN personnel shortage.
HMS Argyll began refit in the shed at Devonport in August 2022 and was supposed to rejoin the fleet in late 2023.

See - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/0 ... -frigates/

[ivorthediver]

That's a worrying comment as I thought the manning issue was stabilised , sad news for the navy ....

Is this a problem for the newly laid ships under construction ?, or will it lead to a reduction in ships built due to Maning issues David

[Pelican]

That's a worrying comment as I thought the manning issue was stabilised , sad news for the navy ....

Is this a problem for the newly laid ships under construction ?, or will it lead to a reduction in ships built due to Maning issues David

Unable to answer your questions Ivor, I'm just one of Mercury's [ https://www.empirerome.com/wordpress/?page_id=712 ] runners. No doubt answers will emerge in future posts on the Forum.