Drone timelapse shows progress on Glasgow frigate factory

Drone shots, collected over a 14-month period, show the progress of a massive new ‘frigate factory’ in Glasgow.

The massive facility at Govan represents a huge boost in capability for UK naval shipbuilding.

Here's a timelapse showing the progress of BAE Systems new 'frigate factory' at the Govan shipyard on the Clyde from February last year to this month pic.twitter.com/BsYzWfgCmg

— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) April 29, 2024

For the avoidance of doubt, the drone footage was obtained legally by a qualified person in adherence to UK drone legislation and guidance. In addition, the drone is insured, and a flight plan was submitted using drone safety software.

On a brisk morning in Glasgow, the future of British naval shipbuilding took tangible form for me as BAE Systems offered me a rare glimpse into the construction of the new shipbuilding hall that promises to significantly increase the capabilities and capacity of shipbuilding in Scotland and the UK, you can read more about my time at the yard here.

While not yet complete, the structure’s formidable outline and the ambition it embodies mark a significant milestone in the yard’s history. The image below shows how it will look.

I previously spoke to Paul Sweeney, Glasgow Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) and former BAE shipyard employee, who told me that the facility is expected to be very impressive and will dominate the Glasgow Skyline.

Sweeney said, “This new hall will probably become the largest building by enclosed volume in Glasgow, if not Scotland, and will make a dramatic impact on the Clydeside skyline. I hope that the competitive advantages it brings will help to reassert Glasgow’s global reputation for having shipbuilding capabilities that are of the highest quality”.

The Govan shipyard, despite its rich heritage, has long faced the challenge of building ships longer than 75 metres under cover—a constraint that has historically limited its operational capabilities. Alan Nicholson detailed the journey towards overcoming this hurdle, telling us, “We currently have an old setup, which isn’t great in the Scottish environment… So we looked at a number of different options and how to improve that situation.”

The solution emerged in the form of the new shipbuilding hall, envisioned to house the assembly of at least two ships simultaneously under cover. This development is a response to operational challenges and also a stride towards modernising the yard to secure future orders after the Type 26 Frigate project winds down.