The decommissioned HMS Argyll will likely be sold to Chile rather than serve as a training ship due to Royal Navy personnel shortages. The original plan for Argyll to serve at BAE’s new training facility on the Clyde has been scrapped, with its future uncertain, as reports suggest a possible sale to support the Chilean Navy’s fleet.
The HMS Argyll, a decommissioned Type 23 frigate, will not be converted into a training ship as previously planned. Instead, it is potentially being sold overseas due to the Royal Navy’s pressing need to allocate its personnel effectively, focusing on integrating new Type 26 and Type 31 frigates into the fleet. In May 2024, then Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the possibility of selling Argyll, which has exceeded its expected lifetime, to BAE Systems for training purposes.
Initially, Argyll was slated to be part of BAE’s new £12 million Applied Shipbuilding Academy at the Clyde shipyard. Plans had her docked alongside at Scotstoun, serving as an active training vessel. However, both the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and BAE Systems have been reticent about the specifics of the change, with a spokesperson mentioning ongoing collaboration with the Royal Navy to enhance workforce skills in practical applications.
The Type 23 frigates have been in service since the 1980s and, with the advancement of ship systems, the differences with newer designs like the Type 26 have become significant. HMS Argyll had begun a post-LIFEX upkeep period in August 2022, but her refit was halted, leaving crucial systems incomplete. The ship emerged visually sound, although many essential components, including primary radar, were not reinstalled.
Recent government data revealed the £5 million spent on refitting HMS Northumberland was wasted, as it was determined to be beyond repair. This led to the scrapping of Northumberland and subsequent cost-saving measures, including the cancellation of plans to retrofit Argyll. Reports now suggest that the Royal Navy may sell Argyll to the Chilean Navy, either for complete refurbishment as part of their fleet or as a parts donor to support their existing Type 23 vessels.
The Royal Navy has been facing severe personnel shortages, prompting strategic decisions regarding its fleet. The Type 23 frigates, like HMS Argyll, while historically significant, are seen as increasingly incompatible with modern naval operations. The decision to potentially sell Argyll underscores the need to optimize resource utilization while coherently transitioning to newer frigate classes. BAE Systems’ involvement in the training initiative aligns with the industry’s push to ensure skilled labor in shipbuilding and maintenance going forward.
The Royal Navy’s HMS Argyll may not serve as a training ship as initially planned but could be sold to Chile instead. This decision reflects the Navy’s struggle with manpower and the need for modernization. The potential sale would provide the Chilean Navy with either a valuable asset or a source for spare parts, aiding their operational capacity.
Original Source: www.navylookout.com
