The Queen has become the first woman and only the second member of the Royal Family to be appointed Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom, during a visit to HMS Astute at Devonport Naval Base. Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, is the Sponsor of HMS Astute, having been present at her roll-out in 2007 and commissioning| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
Originally designed with a service life of around 18 years, the RN’s Type 23 Frigates will now have to serve for around 30 years. These vessel are undergoing life extension (LIFEX) refits and an important component of these upgrades is the Power Generation Machinery Upgrade (PGMU) to replace the ships’ four diesel generator sets. The| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
In March 2014 the MoD admitted there was a minor concern about the integrity of the nuclear reactors which power Vanguard class submarines. As a precaution, HMS Vanguard currently in refit at Devonport has been given a second new reactor core. This week the government quietly announced that technical assessments have now concluded this procedure will not be| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
The MoD has awarded Babcock a £114M contract to prepare for the first nuclear defueling of a decommissioned Royal Navy Trafalgar Class submarine in over 20 years. The contract covers work to remove the fuel from four boats, most likely ex-HMS Trafalgar, Turbulent, Tireless and Torbay - the oldest T-boats in storage at Devonport. It| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
HMS Victorious arrived in Devonport to begin a multi-year Deep Maintenance Period (DMP) in May 2023. Here we provide a some background and detail about the project. Second of the Vanguard class, HMS Victorious was launched in 1993 and has already exceeded her originally intended 25-year design life by 3 years. The DMP is intended| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
The delivery of the RN's second aircraft carrier has deservedly been celebrated as a great success for British industry but behind the scenes, in the naval bases and shipyards, all is not well. 2019 has seen a number of important maintenance projects stalled or delayed. Here we summarise the situation. Delays to naval construction and| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
Royal Navy Astute-class submarine, HMS Audacious was taken into number 15 dry dock in Devonport today. She arrived in Plymouth on 1st April 2023 for a refit that necessitates work on her hull, which could not begin until facilities had been upgraded.| Navy Lookout
On 20th November 2024, the Defence Secretary announced that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark would be decommissioned. Here we look at the context, justifications and potential consequences of this decision.| Navy Lookout
Royal Navy frigate, HMS Iron Duke was the sole surviving Type 23 based in Portsmouth but from 2025, her home will be Devonport Naval Base.| Navy Lookout
