By Lars Niven

THE SCOTTISH Secretary yesterday welcomed the Royal Navy’s largest Type 42 destroyer into Rosyth Dockyard in Fife, where she will undergo a £10 million refit.

Alastair Darling toured the ship and talked to some of its officers and crew before meeting executives from the yard owners Babcock Engineering Services.

The work, which is scheduled to last for 37 weeks, is designed to extend Edinburgh’s lifespan until the new Type 45 destroyers come into service around 2009/2010.

Up to 100 people will work on the refurbishment, which involves upgrading the weapons systems, operations room and installing new technology.

Its living quarters and mess areas are also to be revamped.

Rosyth won the contract this summer and the work will help secure jobs at the dockyard.

After the tour Mr Darling said, “It’s a real pleasure to be able to welcome HMS Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital ship into Rosyth. The royal dockyard has an excellent record when it comes to ship refit and refurbishment programmes.

“The start of the work on the £10 million contract for HMS Edinburgh is excellent news for the workers at the yard.

“It is part of Babcock’s on-going contribution towards ensuring a top quality fleet for our Royal Navy, and another example of how important UK defence contracts are to Scotland.”

HMS Edinburgh’s commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Nick MacDonald-Robinson said he was delighted to bring the ship back to Scotland.

He added, “We’re glad to have arrived in Rosyth and are looking forward to working in partnership with Babcock to ensure the refurbishment programme is a success.”

Archie Bethel, managing director of Babcock Engineering Services, said, “HMS Edinburgh will be in good company in the dockyard.

“Sitting alongside her is HMS Illustrious, now nearing the end of a major refit programme which will complete a hat-trick of aircraft carrier refits at Rosyth.”

The Edinburgh has a crew of 250 and is equipped with the sea dart anti-air and anti-surface missile as well as a multi-role Lynx helicopter.