BAE Systems has begun construction of the fifth of eight Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Royal Navy in a steel cutting ceremony at its Govan shipyard in Glasgow.
This marks a milestone in the UK programme to develop the vessels, which will be known as the City Class in UK Royal Navy service.
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These Type 26 frigates are set to replace the UK’s Type 23 frigates. Their main responsibility will be to defend the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent and Carrier Strike Group.
All eight Type 26 frigates will be constructed on the Clyde, supporting nearly 2,000 jobs in Scotland and 4,000 jobs across the UK maritime supply chain.
Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) director general core Simon Dakin said: “These frigates will have an essential role in ensuring the continued security of our nation and this is a proud moment for all involved.”
The City Class ships are designed for anti-submarine warfare, featuring acoustically quiet hulls to minimise underwater noise from their electric motors, diesel generators, and gas turbine direct drive.
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By GlobalDataThese ships have a towed sonar array for effective anti-submarine warfare, including active and passive detection and torpedo warning systems.
The Type 26 frigates are also equipped with missile silos offering a range of weapons to counter various threats.
BAE Systems Naval Ships business managing director Simon Lister said: “HMS Sheffield’s construction will benefit from a range of investments, which are transforming our digital and physical infrastructure and will consolidate a centre of excellence for UK shipbuilding in Glasgow.”
Of the other four Type 26 vessels under construction, HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham are being fabricated at Govan, while HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff are undergoing outfitting at Scotstoun.
In August, HMS Cardiff left BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard for a deep-water location west of Scotland.
HMS Glasgow, the first ship in the class, is expected to enter service in 2028.
The Type 26 has gained significant export success in recent years, with both Canada and Australia selecting the design for their future surface combatant fleets. Australia is constructing nine ships based on the UK Type 26 design as part of its Hunter class programme, while Canada plans to build up to 15 vessels under the Canadian Surface Combatant programme.
In addition, BAE Systems has invested £12m ($15.23m) in a new Applied Shipbuilding Academy in Glasgow to support workforce development.
Construction of the Janet Harvey Hall, a shipbuilding facility, is also nearing completion to boost productivity on the Clyde for current and future orders.
In 2023, BAE Systems initiated the construction of a ship hall for assembling the Type 26 frigates, further supporting the production of these naval vessels.
