The Ministry of Defence has verified that HMS Bangor is anticipated to finalize its integral renovations before the close of April 2026.
Addressing a legislative inquiry posed by Conservative Member of Parliament Ben Obese-Jecty, Defence Secretary Luke Pollard explained that the ship is not presently undergoing an official overhaul. Instead, it is undergoing mending work after impairment suffered while engaged in operational deployments.
“HMS BANGOR is not undergoing refurbishment; rather, the vessel is experiencing foundational mending subsequent to its retrieval from active missions,” Pollard stated. “They are presently slated for conclusion before April 2026 concludes.”
HMS Bangor serves as a Sandown-category mine-countermeasure vessel, a type of ships precisely engineered for locating and disabling sea mines within intricate oceanic settings. With a displacement of approximately 600 metric tons and a length of 52.5 meters, this vessel is tailored for missions in restricted and shallow marine areas.
Its propulsion system utilizes diesel-electric thrust via Paxman Valenta powerplants, coupled with Voith Schneider propulsors and fore thrusters, thus granting it outstanding agility.
The principal sensing device aboard is the Type 2093 variable depth sonar, able to locate ordnance upon or adjacent to the ocean floor at considerable profundities. Additionally, it is augmented by radar apparatus and ordnance neutralization capabilities, such as remotely controlled SeaFox units and charges positioned by divers. Regarding its defensive measures, the vessel is equipped with a 30mm DS30B cannon, along with automatic firearms, even though its main function persists as mine clearance activities instead of combative engagements.
The ship incurred harm during an impact while stationed in the Middle Eastern region, and prior to this, there existed ambiguity regarding if restorations would proceed, considering former intentions to decommission the vessel. Nevertheless, Bangor has subsequently been kept in active duty, with schemes to prolong its service lifespan to preserve the Royal Navy’s capacity for deep-sea mine detection.