Upgrade of British frigate begins LONDON, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Babcock International said Friday it has begun an extensive upgrade and maintenance project on the Royal Navy's frigate, HMS Sutherland. The eight-month project, planned by the company with BAE Systems and Britain's Ministry of Defense, will include installation of Advanced Radar Target Indication Situational Awareness and Navigation 3-D Radar, and a new command system, central to the ship's capability against air, surface and underwater threats. Other upgrades include a chloropac system to improve performance in the ship's sea water cooling systems and an upgrade to high-pressure air system pipework. The ship's eight-month docking period will include a program of deep maintenance, including removal of rudders and stabilizers along with a program of maintenance on the propeller shafts and associated bearings, overhaul of its helicopter handling system and a complete overhaul or renewal of all underwater and shipside valves and numerous pumps and motors from various ship systems, Babcock said. The work is taking place at the company's Devonport Royal Dockyard..