Babcock International set for frigate upgrades, maintenance

LONDON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- British firm Babcock International is ready to begin a 15-month refit of the Royal Navy's HMS Montrose, a Type 23 frigate, at its dockyard in Devonport.

A total of 16 upgrades and improvements are to be performed on the ship. Among them: replacement of the vessel's 996 radar with an Artisan 3D medium range radar 997, and a midlife update of its Seawolf vertical launch system.

Babcock International said it will also install a chloropac system to reduce marine growth in the ship's pipe system, install automatic small caliber guns, and modify high-pressure air systems.

Deep maintenance work will include rudder inspections, shaft replacement, replacement or overhaul of all hull valves, and revalidation of the hull and structures.

"Among the challenges involved in this refit is the completion of the major dry blast and painting program while completing other maintenance and upgrade work within the necessary timescales, requiring careful scheduling and program management," said Babcock Managing Director, Warships, Mike Whalley.

HMS Montrose is a Duke-class frigate with a length of 436.4 feet and a maximum speed of more than 28 knots. It was commissioned into service in 1992.