Clyde shipyard contract for more Royal Navy frigates confirmed
Five more Type 26 vessels will be built at Govan and Scotstoun
Last updated 15th Nov 2022
Shipyard jobs on the Clyde are being secured as the Prime Minister announces more Royal Navy warships are going to be built in Glasgow.
Speaking at the G20 summit Rishi Sunak confirmed BAE Systems at Govan and Scotstoun is being awarded a £4.2 billion contract to build five more Type 26 frigates, taking the fleet up to eight.
The first of the new Type 26 – HMS Glasgow – is expected to enter service in 2028 and the construction of the new vessels is set to be completed by the mid-2030s.
Submarine hunters
The new ships are replacing the fleet of 12 retiring Type 23 frigates, and their primary role is in anti-submarine warfare.
The fleet will also be capable of countering piracy and delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "We are investing in our fleet to ensure our Royal Navy maintains its world-leading capability to protect and defend our nation at sea.
Scottish engineering boost
"Supporting thousands of high-skilled jobs in Scotland, and more across the wider UK supply chain, this contract will continue to boost our British shipbuilding industry, galvanising the very best of British engineering, manufacturing and design."
Commenting on the announcement, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: "Scotland is a world leader in building modern, state-of-the-art warships and it's great news that our highly skilled workforce and expertise will be at the heart of delivering another five anti-submarine frigates.
"Billions of pounds of UK Government defence investment into Scotland's shipyards is already boosting our country's prosperity through supporting thousands of jobs directly and through the supply chain.
Govan yard investment
BAE Systems has submitted a planning application for a new 175 metre long, 85 metre wide Shipbuilding Hall at Govan, which will allow two frigates to be built simultaneously under cover.
BAE Systems Chief Executive Officer, Charles Woodburn, added: “This contract secures a critical UK industry and allows us to build on our long history of shipbuilding on the Clyde as we continue to deliver cutting-edge equipment to the Royal Navy into the next decade.
Steel will be cut on the first of the next five vessels, HMS Birmingham, this winter, marking the start of the Batch 2 build phase.