Cammell Laird has achieved a significant milestone in the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate programme, completing and delivering a massive structural block for HMS Birmingham, the fourth ship in the class.
The Birkenhead-based shipyard, operating under APCL (Atlantic and Peninsula Cammell Laird), also finalised a number of key units for HMS Belfast, Ship 3 in the programme.
The Type 26 programme, led by BAE Systems, aims to deliver a fleet of advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Royal Navy. Cammell Laird is a key industrial partner in this effort, fabricating major blocks and sections that are then transported to Glasgow for final assembly.
The newly completed component, a consolidated double bottom mega block for HMS Birmingham, weighs approximately 1,000 tonnes. After 21 months of fabrication, it was loaded onto a barge and shipped from Cammell Laird’s wet basin to the BAE Systems Govan shipyard, where it will be integrated into the wider hull structure. The block includes 8,437 secondary structural items—ranging from piping and ladders to access walkways and mountings for onboard systems.
Alongside this, Cammell Laird also completed upper hull units for HMS Belfast. These consist of two double-stacked and four single structural modules, which collectively incorporate 3,858 secondary components. Like HMS Birmingham’s block, these were shipped to Govan by sea for assembly into the ship’s superstructure.
This stage of the build underscores the industrial depth supporting the Type 26 programme. Cammell Laird’s contribution extends beyond fabrication, with a number of its apprentices playing hands-on roles in the process. Apprentices in trades including pipe fitting, plating, welding, project management and rigging have gained real-world experience working on what the company describes as a project of national significance.
The Type 26 frigates, also known as the City Class, will replace the ageing Type 23s and form the backbone of the Royal Navy’s future surface fleet. Designed primarily for anti-submarine operations, the vessels are also capable of conducting general purpose missions and will be critical assets in UK and NATO maritime operations for decades to come.
The delivery marks another key point in the timeline of HMS Birmingham and HMS Belfast, both of which are expected to join the Royal Navy’s fleet later this decade.
No obvious sign of any work on RFA Fort Victoria, but on the other hand she also hasn’t been visibly stripped of all useful equipment. As like so many things, I suppose her fate now depends on SDR25.
I wonder if Norway does choose to get the type 26 could we open a second assembly line at Cammel?
Maybe they could build blocks and get them towed to Norway.
I like to see a Cammel Towed production line.
ISWYDT
Glad someone did !
I am making a good salary from home $4580-$5240/week , which is amazing under a year ago I was jobless in a horrible economy. I thank God every day I was blessed with these instructions and now its my duty to pay it forward and share it with Everyone,
Here is I started_______ 𝐖𝐖𝐖.𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝟏.𝐂𝐎𝐌
Oh, well done.
You’re my new favourite.
Bugger me… I hope you don’t live near the Magic Roundabout ? I had a huge moment some years back… couldn’t work out which way to go until Zebedee Sprung up and told me.
Some old Cow called Ermintrude was following a Snail called Brian and I hadn’t a Florence where we were.
I doubt that is necessary.
I’d be thinking more about making what is there as efficient as possible.
The Tyne would be a more obvious choice for assembly, to spread out ship building in the UK, to replace Swan Hunter yard?
No as the T26 is a BAE design. More likely the farm out further fabrication work to AP Tyne, Ferguson and Navantia.
I’m more thinking that BAE just do what they are doing now but on a bigger scale, in essence rent out the yeard and the workforce to either set up another production line or as an assembly point if they decide to get more yards doing fabrication work. Have Cammel build the ships for Norway or if we decide to give vessels 2 or 3 to Norway have the replacement vessels built at Cammel. That way RN orders aren’t pushed back that far if we give up ships to Norway. All speculation off course, do we have any idea when Norways decision will be made?
*yard
*Cammell (forgot the second l)
There was a recent story that Cammells had built and shipped a large engine room block for ship 4. Is this a rehash of that story, or is this another piece of the ship? If it is a separate block then it would indicate that the production rate could be stepped up if needed for Norway, with Cammells doing a large part of the basic fabrication and Govan/Scotstoun assembling and fitting out. There is also capacity at Fergusons for steel assembly, and also at Appledore, so if the will and the need is there the ships could be got out faster. This does assume the treasury will pay!
This is a further piece.
Agree. Noting the management changes at Ferguson, the Navantia acquisition of Appledore and this news from CL I would say the evidence is that the govt is committed to faster production of T26. And probably frigate production and the RN in general.
If needed for Norway, Norway will pay.
I read the other day on “Army recognition” that Germany and Norway have expanded naval partnership on the F127 frigate project. It does say that there is know actual decision made on which frigate design Norway will choose.
Norway excepts to make a decision on which frigate it will buy this summer – any delay and it won’t have the first in service by 2030. As extensively discussed on other threads, it seems to be a toss-up between orders for five UK T26’s or six French FDI’s. The German and American bids are long shots. The T26 construction bottleneck will be three fitting-out berths at Scotstoun, I’m dubious if Hamek could economically take on that role for the Norwegian ships. Fair dues to BAES, for once they are really going all-out to win an export order, even it means subcontracting MOD work to rival shipyards. They are making themselves into a real shipbuilding hub for the UK, an updated version of the Carrier Alliance. The UK Governments and MOD will like this, and even the RN might manage a wain grin as in the long term it should gain. An outlier is the Scottish governments lack of interest and encouragement, after the ferry fiasco it seems that MSPs will be happy never to hear the word shipbuilding again!
There’s only 1 wet dock and 1 dry dock for fitting out
Type 26 is only ok for ASW. It is obsolescent for the current world regarding radar and AAW capabilities compared to the investment.
The Canadian and Australian instead are good design, but still a couple years waiting.
It’s the same Block for the same Ship – just reported again.
btw-according to today’s Mail Online we are to get F35A’s?!!
The rumour mill is gathering pace.
That’s a second order for the F-35B. We don’t have the infrastructure for the A.
So soon ? Crikey, before we know it, we’ll have more F35’s than Hawks.
Could we paint a few Red ?
That is not what is being reported – we didn’t have infrastructure for the ‘B’ till we got it !.
Some would say that we actually had the Infrastructure way before the “B”.
In fact, some could and still say that about the two blinking enormous floaty Boaty things that were built to enable their angry bits to be carried all over the World.
Personally I like to stay out of that argument, It only causes Twubble.
“Rule Britannia”.
Anyone know the translation in Islamic ?
The Times had F35A story
The Times says 100 F35A
If true that would suggest a change in strategic direction and that F-35Bs numbers will be held and become FAA assets. The A model would the RAF a significant, possible nuclear strike capability for Europe.
My thinking is – if in the vague realms of possibility that these rumours are true ( they likely aren’t but i had read a snippet connected with it 10 days ago ) the F35B would stay as is,Joint RAF/FAA at Marham.Any F35A would be in effect replacements fot the retired T1 Typhoon to be based at ??? ,plenty of options but the Key is their Nuclear Sharing role.
With their longer range and nuclear capability, if forward based, RAF F-35As would be the fastest practical and affordable way of the UK making a significant contribution to deterrence on the eastern front line of European.
Intriguing report, if true. Can’t envision a less expensive method for RAF to return to a nuclear deterrent role, w/ a hypothetically reconstituted RAF Bomber Command. Of course, also would be an advocate for a resurrected USAF Strategic Air Command. Would personally prefer RAF acquisition of B-21 in due course, but the projected acquisition pricetag of $700+Mn/ac is probably somewhat intimidating.
What could this mean for Tempest? Less, delays, will have both anything? Looks like an “Italian job” happening, F35A & B, Typhoon and Tempest.
“Italian job”? Not familiar w/ this reference, please explain. Cosa Nostra involvement in Italian aircraft production?
Don’t believe it. Why would we buy £10b worth of an aircraft with almost no UK content and with no current ability to integrate the weapons we want? It would kill GCAP to which we are committed by recent international agreements and in effect be the end of UK combat aircraft design and manufacturing.
For long range strike missions, Tempest, likely to be larger than F35, would be more effective.
A further order of Typhoons seems more likely.
Peter – GCAP is being designed as a Replacement for Typhoon,the F35B fleet is a different entity altogether.As has been reported multiple times being a Tier 1 Partner in the F35 Programme UK PLC has a circa 15% content value in EVERY F35 sold so that is a useful income stream,much more than Typhoon given the numbers ordered so far.And given the choice the RAF/FAA will choose F35 over Typhoon every time.
Bear in mind the Type 26 Foremasts are made in Norway and shipped to Govan. Hopefully that’s a plus when Norway is considering what platform to go for.
I did here that a big debate was being had about the Mast thing.
Hopefully soon we’ll get to see the results of this Mast Debate.
It would be great to see what comes of it.
We saw what you did there too and are still groaning internally.
If you are having any pain internally when you wee, I should get yourself down to the local Gynaecological centre ASAP… you never know with these things.
A truly masterful comment!
I loved you on Eastenders mate…. Dum dum dum and so on and so forth.
Pat… Pat….
Mast de bate he he
Indeed. These mighty erections can be quite the talking point.
Right then.
I’m off now before all the deadly serious folk turn up and it all descends into the normal Swearing Fest.
Oh and I can make $18,000 per hour apparently.
Where’s the prerequisite link?..if no link I don’t believe you!
I’m afraid that you are too late…. !
Sounds like Cammel have got their act together.
Maybe we should open a second assembly line there as a reward. I’m inclined to believe they would beat Govan on speed and quality. Govan needs competition and the RN needs its frigates.
A reward? It took them 21 months to build a block of steel. We are not building enough to justify that
Talking of steel, where is the steel for the T26s being sourced from? Hopefully a fair chunk from the UK?
News today. Greece have ordered 3 more FDI frigates which are a close comparison to type 31 in terms of function, role and capability. Although type 31 has a bigger growth potential.
I definitely think more type 31s should be built, on a continuous rotation one every year. If countries like Greece can afford an adequate number of frigates the UK definitely should