HMS Iron Duke back afloat after upgrade
More new steel has been fitted to the ship than in any other previous Type 23 refit, the Royal Navy said.18th April 2022 at 4:04 pm
HMS Iron Duke is afloat again after two years of refitting and upgrading.
The Royal Navy Type 23 frigate has had a longer-than-usual period of life extension work due to the COVID pandemic and her age.
More new steel has been fitted to the ship than in any other previous Type 23 refit, the Royal Navy said.
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Despite concerns she would be retired, the decision was taken in 2019 to restore her, to ensure there were escorts for the Royal Navy fleet.
She was moved to HMNB Devonport for the upgrade.
The work is part of a programme to add an extra decade of life to the Navy’s ‘workhorses’, to allow them to serve until their successor Type 26 and Type 31 frigates enter service.
HMS Lancaster returned to the fleet in late 2019, followed by HMS Richmond. HMS Portland has been handed back to the Royal Navy, with HMS Somerset due to following suit soon.
“The capability sustainment for the Type 23s is putting a lot more modern technology onto the platforms,” said Commander Jim Ellis from the Surface Flotilla’s Devonport Refit Support Programme.
“It’s upgrading their equipment and the fabric of the ship as well. It’s improving their life span, so basically putting the teeth and the legs back into the Type 23s, to bridge the gap until Type 26 enters service from 2025 onwards.”