As HMS Richmond prepares to join the UK Carrier Strike Group deployment, she has been equipped with a significant communications upgrade, enhancing her ability to share combat data at speed. Richmond is the first Type 23 to receive the integrated Link 16 Crypto Modernised system. This upgrade enables more secure and faster tactical data sharing| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
HMS Kent is currently operating in the Barents Sea with US Navy warships conducting maritime security operations. This is a significant deployment as officially the US Navy says it has not sent surface ships to the area since the mid-1980s. The task group comprises three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Donald Cook, USS Porter, USS Roosevelt| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
The Royal Navy has successfully test-fired the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) for the first time, marking a significant step forward in recovering its ability to strike ships and land targets at long range. Type 23 frigate, HMS Somerset, launched the missile during Exercise AEGIR 25 at the Andøya Test Centre in northern Norway in early| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
HMS Westminster, a Wildcat helicopter and three RAF Typhoon jets launched a variety of weapons, sinking the former USS Boone during exercise Atlantic Thunder held on 7th September. The exercise was a very rare live test of complex weapons against a warship target. HMS Westminster fired two Harpoon anti-ship missiles at the same time as| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
On 12 September, HMS Richmond sailed through international waters that separate China and Taiwan in company with the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Higgins. China responded by dispatching air and naval assets to monitor the passage and predictably accused the two nations of "trouble-making and provocation". The Taiwan Strait is just 80 miles wide at its| 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
Royal Navy frigate, HMS Lancaster, has reached the end of her life and will return home to be decommissioned later this year. There are no warships available to replace her, and her departure marks the end of a significant RN permanent presence in the Gulf region, at least for now. The Royal Navy has had| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
The RN is unlikely to see an increase in its major anti-submarine platforms in the near future. Recognising the danger posed by the continually evolving underwater threat, it has launched ASW Spearhead, an initiative to maximise the effectiveness of the assets its already has. There will be some new hardware, in the form of new| 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 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
