An extension to the scope of the original contract was negotiated to add yet further to the Type 23 frigate’s capabilities as a first class warship, which was turned around in rapid time.
Defence Equipment and Support’s Surface Combatants Director Commodore Graham Peach said:
“This was a significant work package which puts HMS St Albans, the newest of the Type 23s, at the forefront of the fleet of frigates.
“Babcock Marine has done a sterling job to deliver the significant additions to what was already a substantial package within a demanding schedule. We can be proud of the very constructive working relationship between the MOD and BM which has made this achievement possible.”
This was a significant work package which puts HMS St Albans, the newest of the Type 23s, at the forefront of the fleet of frigates
Commodore Graham Peach
The refit contract was awarded to Babcock as part of the Surface Ship Support (SSS) project under which the MOD works with industry to allocate work packages to achieve affordable, sustainable support for the fleet.
Ready for Sea Date inspections were successfully completed on 30 May 08 and HMS St Albans will now embark upon six weeks of sea trials.
The Type 23 is the largest class of frigate constructed for the Royal Navy since the Leander class and provides the backbone of the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine frigate force.
Designed to carry out anti-submarine operations in the North Atlantic using towed array sonar to locate targets, they were the first ‘stealthy’ ships to enter service in the RN – equipped with electric motors they are able to cruise slowly and extremely quietly while hunting submarines and have a hull and superstructure angled off the vertical to reduce radar reflectivity.