UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has cut the steel for the British Royal Navy's Type 26 frigate on the River Clyde, marking the beginning of the vessel's construction phase.
The ship is set to be the first in the British Royal Navy's new generation of City-class frigates. Its name has been confirmed by the navy as HMS Glasgow.
First Sea Lord admiral Sir Philip Jones said: “The Clyde was the birthplace of some of the greatest fighting ships the world has ever known, and so cutting steel there today for the future HMS Glasgow is symbolic of a Royal Navy on the rise once again.
“As an island nation, we are utterly dependent on the sea for our security and prosperity, and the City-class names have been chosen for the Type 26 to provide an enduring link between the Royal Navy and our great centres of commerce and industry.”
The Type 26, which is an advanced anti-submarine warfare frigate designed for a mimimum service life of 25 years, has been developed to provide protection to the navy’s nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers.
The vessel's flexible design will enable its weapon systems to be adapted to counter future threats throughout its lifespan.
Fallon said: “HMS Glasgow and the other seven frigates in this new class will protect our powerful new aircraft carriers and nuclear deterrent, helping keep Britain safe across the world.”
The work to be carried out on HMS Glasgow will provide around 1,700 jobs in Scotland over the next two decades.
Additionally, three Type 26 ships to be constructed under the initial contract will provide 4,000 job opportunities across the wider UK supply chain until 2035.
HMS Glasgow is slated to enter service with the Royal Navy by mid-2020.
Fallon announced the signing of a new contract to begin construction of the navy's Type 26 frigates earlier this month, which is valued at approximately £3.7bn.
Image: Computer generated image of the future Type 26 global combat ship. Photo: courtesy of British Royal Navy.
