UK Royal Navy amphibious landing ship HMS Bulwark has rejoined the fleet after an 11-month upgrade and maintenance programme.
The £30m support period programme was successfully undertaken by Babcock at Devonport Royal Dockyard, which delivered the ship on-time and in-budget.
The upgrade involved the overhaul of 1,625 items of equipment, manufacture of 1,557 items, improved aviation facilities, upgrades to the welldock, including full tactical night-vision capability by its landing craft and aircraft.
The ship’s communications equipment was also enhanced, along with upgrades of the main propulsion system, improvements to IT network capability and defensive weapons upgrades.
HMS Bulwark successfully completed three week sea trials to return as a fully prepared operational warship and to assume its future role as the fleet flagship in October this year.
The support period contract was awarded under the Surface Ship Support Alliance, the alliance between the UK Ministry of Defence, Babcock and BAE Systems.
