The upgrade and maintenance programme on the UK Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Portland has begun at Babcock’s Rosyth dockyard in the UK.

The upgrade is aimed at maintaining the ship at peak effectiveness and follows the recent successful refits on other Type 23 frigates including HMS Kent.

The frigate refit task includes providing a new DNA(2) command system to enhance the ship’s fighting capability against air, surface and underwater threats, and a new defence information infrastructure (future) (DII(F)) to allow information-sharing across the network.

The ship will be fitted with Sonar 2087, a tactical, variable depth, active and passive anti-submarine warfare (ASW) system and the Seawolf mid-life update (SWMLU) to defend against anti-ship missile threats.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The company will also provide structural modifications to the aft end of the frigate, replace the 4.5 Mk8 Mod1 gun and equip the vessel with a 30mm automatic gun.

Additional enhancements include integration of Nato radial filters to protect fresh air supplies from contamination, and the nuclear biological chemical defence incident surveillance system.

Further upgrades will include providing flexibility of supply with a high-pressure air system, and galley equipment upgrades and habitability improvements.

The frigate will also undergo structural repairs, and maintenance of all systems and equipment, including renewal of the hull coatings.

The 133m-long HMS Portland has a displacement capacity of 4,900t, is capable of cruising at speeds of 30.8 knots, can accommodate a crew of 185, and can be equipped with Harpoon and Seawolf missile systems, guns and anti-submarine torpedoes.

The refit programme is scheduled for completion within an 11-month timeframe after which the frigate will undergo sea trials in autumn 2012.