HMS Norfolk was laid down in December 1985, launched in July 1987, and commissioned in June 1990 as the first Type 23. The original armament included 32 Sea Wolf missiles, eight Harpoons, a 4.5-inch gun, two 30 mm guns, and Sting Ray torpedoes, with a helicopter also carried. This equipment fitted into a ship of a little over 4,900 tons. The design became a long-serving workhorse of the Royal Navy. At the time of recording, Norfolk remained in Chilean service as Almirante Cochrane, while HMS Iron Duke was still active 35 years after her March 1991 launch.
Chapter · 17:31-19:15
The original Type 23 fit and its long service life
Norfolk's original weapons and construction dates establish the historical Type 23 against which the modular alternative is compared.