The UK Navy’s Type 42 destroyer, HMS Edinburgh, has rejoined the fleet after undergoing a £17.5m, 18-month upgrade at Portsmouth Naval Base.

The refit, provided by BAE, included improved propulsion machinery, auxiliary and weapons systems, sensors and accommodation.

The warship completed comprehensive sea trials to ensure the upgrades were operationally effective for future training and operations.

The crew will also undergo an intensive eight-week period of operational sea training, after which the ship will be deployed anywhere in the world, possibly by early 2011.