The Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland, otherwise known as ‘The Fighting Clan’, has returned to sea after nearly four years following a major overhaul in Devonport dockyard conducted by Babcock International.
The ship departed His Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport on 31 January 2025 to begin sea trials and training ahead of rejoining the Royal Navy fleet for worldwide operations.
HMS Sutherland is the final Type 23 frigate to receive a life extension (LIFEX) and significant upgrades, which should allow the ship to continue in service into the mid-2030s.
The ship underwent a full structural survey and a major upgrade, including more than 800 inserts and 11,500 weld repairs, demanding more than 5 km of welding, according to a Royal Navy press release. Entire sections of the ship were deconstructed and then rebuilt to allow engine, generator and machinery control upgrades: forward and aft switchboards, new diesel generator and motor generator sets in the forward and upper auxiliary machinery rooms, as well as the installation of several miles of new pipework and cables.
HMS Sutherland also received an upgraded 2150 sonar system, requiring the removal of the sonar bow dome (a major lifting operation involving specialist support), and was the last Type 23 to receive the Sea Ceptor air defence missile system. Sea Ceptor was proven in action in March 2024 when the Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond used it to shoot down missiles and bomb-laden drones launched by the Yemen-based Houthi militia in the Gulf.
Speaking during a ceremony prior to HMS Sutherland returning to sea, the ship’s commanding officer, Commander James Wallington-Smith, stated, “HMS Sutherland has benefitted from a signification modernisation and extension of key weapons, sensors, and equipment in this extensive refit.
“This accomplishment is down to the hard graft and considerable efforts of both the ship’s company and Babcock working closely together to deliver success. The ship and her crew are now ready to continue the next stage of trials and training in the return to operations.”
Sir Nick Hine, chief executive of Babcock’s Marine Sector, was quoted as saying, “After a significant upkeep programme, it is fantastic to see HMS Sutherland starting sea trials and well on her way to achieving full capability before rejoining the fleet. Our team has provided trusted expertise, utilising our longstanding through-life support experience to ready the ship before she recommences her journey to support the nation’s defence.”
Of the 16 Type 23 frigates built for the Royal Navy from the mid-1980s, eight remain in service after three were sold to the Chilean Navy and five were retired.
The Type 23s will be replaced by the Royal Navy’s future Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, which are expected to enter service from 2027 onwards.
