Row about bringing in first of frigates for overhaul (5)
I believe the answer is:
refit
'overhaul' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'row about bringing in first of frigates' is the wordplay.
'row' becomes 'tier' (tier is a kind of row).
'about' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'bringing in' indicates putting letters inside.
'first of frigates' becomes 'f' (1st letter of 'frigates').
'tier' backwards is 'reit'.
'reit' enclosing 'f' is 'REFIT'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for refit that I've seen before include "Overhaul (ship's equipment)" , "Restoration and repair of equipment etc" , "provision of new equipment" , "Updating or repair process for a ship" , "The renewal of a ship's systems" .)