HMS Sutherland welcomes back Wildcat for first time after four-year revamp

The crew of HMS Sutherland have witnessed a Wildcat touch down on the ship's flight deck for the first time since her major refit.

The Type 23 frigate has had an extensive regeneration over the last four years, including engine upgrades, new combat systems and revamped living quarters.

She can land either a Wildcat or Merlin helicopter, both of which are capable of carrying torpedoes and depth charges to target submarines at long range.

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The refit is expected to keep HMS Sutherland in service until at least 2032.

She has now begun sea trials and training ready to rejoin the Royal Navy fleet, with a focus on submarine-hunting operations in the North Atlantic.

HMS Sutherland is adaptable, acting as a patrol shop and fleet escort as well as taking part in counter terrorism, people trafficking and surveillance operations.

She escorted HMS Queen Elizabeth on the aircraft carrier's maiden voyage for sea trials in 2017 and was the first warship to take a Royal Navy Wildcat maritime attack helicopter to the Asia Pacific region.

The key role of HMS Sutherland is as a submarine hunter.

She carries low frequency active and passive towed array sonar, which can detect and track submarines before they detect her.

Sutherland is the Royal Navy's fastest recorded frigate, sailing at a speed of 34 knots (39mph) during time trials in 2004 and is also the last ship in her class to receive the Sea Ceptor missile system.

The ship has a crew of around 200 personnel, including warfare specialists, marine engineers, weapons engineers and logistics experts, all serving under Commander James Wallington-Smith.