Refit Puts Frigate Ahead in the Air and on the Water

HMS Sutherland has set sail from Scotland equipped with the most advanced air defence system in the Royal Navy following a multi-million pound MOD refit.

The Type 23 frigate is the first in the fleet to be fitted with the updated Sea Wolf missile defence system under the year-long £35M refit in Rosyth dockyard. It is just one of a series of upgrades that have enhanced HMS Sutherland's performance on, above and below the water, putting her at the forefront of the fleet of frigates.

Defence Equipment & Support Surface Combatants Director Commodore Graham Peach said:

"The updated Sea Wolf missile system is a real boost to Sutherland's air defence capability; its advanced new sensors can track an object the size of a cricket ball travelling up to twice the speed of sound from a range of more than 20 miles and launch a salvo of missiles to take out the target. The system will be installed across the frigates over the coming decade, significantly enhancing the Navy's anti-aircraft ability. "

Improved submarine hunting ability comes courtesy of the latest Sonar equipment, Sonar 2087, while a new main gun capable of firing long-range ammunition has boosted her defence ability on the surface. Finally a new paint system has been used in recoating the hull outer bottom that improves performance as well as fuel economy.

HMS Sutherland left Rosyth on Friday to embark on two months of sea trials, testing her new systems before she returns to her duties.

Background Information:

1. HMS Sutherland's upkeep was allocated under the 'Gloucester Batch' workshare of the developing Surface Ship Support (SSS) Programme, which aims to change the way warships are supported in the future.

2. Sea Wolf Mid Life Update (SWMLU) replaces the current 20 year old Sea Wolf missile defence system installed on the Type 22s and 23s at build. The system will be rolled out across the classes by 2017 under a £300M supply contract with BAE Systems.

3. Sonar upgrade comes as part of a £166m project to upgrade the fleet, led by Thales UK. Sonar Type 2087 is an active low-frequency sonar in which a towed float is trailed from the ship's quarterdeck.

4. HMS Sutherland was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders in 1997. She measures 133m x 16.1m x 5m and 4,900 tonnes. Among her weapons systems are 32 Sea Wolf missiles and 8 harpoons.

5. Type 23 frigates were designed during the cold war as submarine hunters but as versatile and well-equipped ships their role has evolved to include operations as diverse as anti drugs smuggling operations to humanitarian disaster relief.

6. Equipment valued at £18m will be installed as part of a general overhaul of the ship under the £17m contract with Babcock Marine.