HMS SUTHERLAND will emerge from Rosyth as 'Navy's most powerful frigate'
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Defence Minister Baroness Taylor yesterday announced a £35 million major upgrade to the Royal Navy frigate HMS Sutherland. New equipment valued at £18 million will be installed as part of a general overhaul of the ship under a £17 million contract with Babock Marine at their Rosyth dockyard in Scotland.

The Type 23 frigate is to get:
• the Navy’s latest and most sophisticated submarine hunting sonar system, capable of identifying submarines at an even greater range.
• an advanced Seawolf air defence missile system, which will counter the advanced threat from missiles and fixed wing aircraft.
• a new improved main gun, capable of firing long-range ammunition.
• a reshaped stern to cut fuel use.

Baroness Taylor, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support, said:

“HMS Sutherland is the first of our ships to get this new equipment making her the most powerful frigate in the fleet. With an improved air defence missile system, a new long-range main gun, and our latest and most sophisticated submarine-hunting sonar, she will be a force to be reckoned with, capable of dealing with current and future threats.”

HMS SUTHERLAND was launched at the Yarrows shipyard in Glasgow on Saturday, 09 March 1996 and completed the following year.