Babcock to upgrade HMS Richmond

The UK Royal Navy's Type 23 frigate, HMS Richmond, is undergoing an extensive refit at Babcock's Devonport Dockyard to enhance its operational capability and interoperability.

The £20m upgrade and maintenance programme includes installation of the £4m Sea Wolf, a short range ship defence missile system to combat the increasing threat of fast, low-flying and more manoeuvrable missiles.

Additional upgrades include a new £800,000 command system, compatible with other new ships entering service, a new 'brain' for the weapons systems, enhanced 30mm automatic guns as well as communication systems.

Sea Wolf will be installed across the entire fleet of Type 23 frigates as part of a £300m upgrade programme.

Work is expected to be completed early next year, and the ship will return to the fleet mid year following sea trials.