MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

• 

  Anglotino

  I always find it amazing that many old naval ships are sunk so as to start life as a new public benefit. I remember watching the scuttling of the HMAS Canberra back in 2009 and was amazed the time and effort that put into the operation.
  
  So much better than just scrapping it. This way it lives on.
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Canberra_(FFG_02)

  Jul 29th, 2013 - 11:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

• 

  Conor J

  Shame these vessels had to go, the 22s were always popular ships. Still they were rapidly approaching the 40 year old mark and they will of course be replaced by the Type 26, can't wait to see them in the water.

  Jul 30th, 2013 - 07:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

• 

  Islander1

  Just waiting for old Marcos to come on with the usual claptrap- Marcos have you managed to get that old rustbucket the right way up yet in your priciple naval base? - At least UK sells off and dipsoses of outdated ships no longer required!

  Jul 30th, 2013 - 08:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

• 

  Conqueror

  Hello Falkland Islands and Gibraltar, Have you thought of putting in a bid for these vessels? A bit of negotiation with MoD for what equipment might be left aboard. Main gun, Harpoon missile launchers, Sea Wolf anti-air system, Goalkeeper CIWS. Complement is only 250. Think how the argie and spanish governments would react when they realise that the Falklands and Gibraltar have their own warships.

  Jul 30th, 2013 - 09:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

• 

  Rooter

  https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/q77/1002929_10201542282658806_1879210100_n.jpg

  Jul 30th, 2013 - 09:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

• 

  JuanGabriel

  @2 The batch 3s are only about 25 years old, they were commissioned between 88-90 but they were run pretty hard in their later years. They are newer than every ship in the Argentinian navy apart from a couple of corvettes and thats only because they took 20 years to finish them.
  
  Their sea wolf is the box launcher type and so they weren't going to get the upgrade that the type 23s are getting nor CAMM or the new radar the dukes will get. They were valued for their extra command spaces compared to T23 and T42 but the T45s are better equipped still for that.
  
  The harpoon and CIWS would likely have already been taken off as soon as they were decommed and redeployed to other ships

  Jul 30th, 2013 - 10:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

• 

  Conor J

  @6
  Yeah I already knew about the Batch 3s age what I meant was that their design was nearly 40 years old, I mean aside from weapon and other internal upgrades the Batch 3s are essentially the same as the Batch 1s. The initial batch 1s were designed in the 70s after all. I was aware with the issues regarding the old Hedgehog launchers and the issue of Goalkeeper being retired soon anyway.

  Jul 30th, 2013 - 10:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

• 

  Briton

  their was little one could do with these boats,
  
  so it will be a fond farewell,
  
  and then just hope and pray for the type 26,
  we need lots, ..

  Jul 30th, 2013 - 03:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

• 

  Vestige

  Aside from all the usual.
  
  I'm surprised they only got £3m. 4 vessels. I mean the steel alone must be worth more.
  Even after any disassembling. Misprint ?

  Jul 30th, 2013 - 04:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

• 

  JuanGabriel

  @9 the reason the money seems low is because they have to be disposed of to a certain standard and cleaned of all hazardous materials. All the useful equipment will have been removed so you are pretty much left with a contaminated scrap steel hulk. They could sell them for a lot more if they sold them elsewhere but they wouldn't be scrapped to the standards required.

  Jul 31st, 2013 - 04:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  -+

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!