Type 26 Frigate HMS Glasgow has left the shipyard in Glasgow that built her onboard a barge on her way to be lowered into the water at Loch Long, a sea loch downriver from the city.

The ship is now on its way to Glen Mallan where she will be lowered into the water by the semi-submersible barge before being brought back upriver to Glasgow again, this time to BAE’s facility at Scotstoun for fitting out.

BAE Systems said:

“Once in position, the float off will involve the base of the barge being slowly submerged over a number of hours until HMS GLASGOW fully enters the water. She will then return to BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard further along the Clyde, where she will undergo the next stages of outfit before test and commissioning.”

Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence, said:

“HMS GLASGOW entering the water for the first time marks a major milestone for the Type 26 programme which supports thousands of highly skilled jobs in Scotland and more across the wider UK supply chain. We’re continuing to invest in the British shipbuilding industry to maintain the Royal Navy’s cutting-edge ability to defend our nation, while strengthening our partnership with allies.”

David Shepherd, Type 26 Programme Director, BAE Systems, said:

“Seeing HMS GLASGOW in the water for the first time will be a proud and exciting moment for the thousands of people involved in this great endeavour. She will soon transfer to our Scotstoun yard in Glasgow where we look forward to installing her complex systems and bringing her to life.”

For those wondering how they moved the ship onto the barge, little wheeled vehicles under the vessel shown below.

The submersible barge was tested last month ahead of the upcoming launch of the new warship.

Frigate carrying submersible barge tested in Glasgow

According to Malin Group, the barge will initially be used to transport and ‘launch’ the Type 26 Frigates being built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy and then berthed on the Clyde and made available to industry as required, “catalysing further opportunities for the wider supply chain in fields including shipbuilding, civil construction and renewable energy”.

I went along to watch the barge arrive. Here’s the video.

John MacSween, Managing Director of the Malin Group, said:

Securing this piece of equipment marks another positive step forward in the reawakening of the shipping and large-scale marine manufacturing industry in Scotland.  This versatile asset, based on the West Coast of Scotland, can be used for launching and bringing ships ashore, docking vessels locally or at remote locations as well as being used to relocate large structures around the UK and further afield.

We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with the internationally renowned tug and barge owner specialists Augustea, as well as work with Hat-San who are bringing years of shipbuilding experience to the conversion. We are also extremely grateful for the support we have had from Scottish Enterprise in making this project a reality.”

The barge is a joint venture between the Malin Abram and Augustea and, now modified, represents one of the largest in Europe – it can submerge to load vessels and cargo with draughts of up to 12m and over 137m in length.

It will be based on the Clyde between projects.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Ian M.
Ian M.
1 year ago

Now to see if the ballast and balance calculations are correct! Fingers crossed all goes to plan, then Glasgow can return to Glasgow!

Last edited 1 year ago by Ian M.
Nick C
Nick C
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Too true, it’s the naval architects moment of truth. You don’t want to end up with a permanent list like that German ship did.

Ian M.
Ian M.
1 year ago
Reply to  Nick C

Did they have all of their supplies on one side? Was it a shopping list?
😂

Nick C
Nick C
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

I believe it really was a design cock up, rather than having all the beer in a starboard locker. Not as bad as that Italian ship a while back which was launched and promptly fell over, I think you may still be able to get a video on YouTube if you look hard.
“A while back” is probably 1920’s.

Nick C
Nick C
1 year ago
Reply to  Nick C

Seriously for a moment, it’s good to see tangible progress with the programme. We should be seeing Cardiff out of the sheds before too long.

Ian M
Ian M
1 year ago
Reply to  Nick C

Yootoob in 1920’s? Wow!😁

Nick C
Nick C
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian

Sounds like the one, I did think that there was film of it as well but I might have been imagining it. It’s an age problem!

Frank62
Frank62
1 year ago
Reply to  Nick C

Wasn’t private Pike on a permanent German list?(“Don’t tell him Pike!”)

Barry Larking
Barry Larking
1 year ago
Reply to  Frank62

😅

Coll
Coll
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Unlike a new Iranian ship that tipped over in a dry dock a few months ago.

Ian M.
Ian M.
1 year ago
Reply to  Coll

At least it couldn’t sink!

IwanR
IwanR
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Does that work without the bulbous bow mounted sonar installed? Is the sonar that light? Relatively speaking of course.

Matt
Matt
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Leaning sorry learning sorry remembering the lessons of HMS Captain.

Rk
Rk
1 year ago

Glasgexit?

Frank62
Frank62
1 year ago

Sounds like an existencial crisis.😮

Hadn’t realised they take her down to Glen Mallan before returning to Scotstoun for fitting out. Great work.

Jim
Jim
1 year ago

Massive advantage of building on the Clyde is all the very deep sheltered water around it for an operation like this.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago

Excellent news on the one hand and on the other?

Just as things were looking up too 😠

UK scraps additional A400M buy as ‘unaffordable’
30 NOVEMBER 2022

“The United Kingdom has scrapped plans to acquire additional Airbus A400M Atlas airlifters, saying it is no longer affordable.

The National Audit Office (NAO) made the disclosure in its ‘The Equipment Plan 2022 to 2032′ report, published on 30 November, reversing the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) announcement in February that it was seeking to add to the 22 aircraft already contracted.”

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/defence/latest/uk-scraps-additional-a400m-buy-as-unaffordable

Last edited 1 year ago by Nigel Collins
DP
DP
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

….. so will be retaining the C130s! That’ll be a No, I bet.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago
Reply to  DP

If only!

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

That is one bureaucratic view of future, however, Sunak, Hunt, Wallace, et. al., may beg to differ, once defense plan revised and approved.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

This might have something to do with it, the cost must be huge. U.S. and NATO Scramble to Arm Ukraine and Refill Their Own Arsenals Last summer in the Donbas region, the Ukrainians were firing 6,000 to 7,000 artillery rounds each day, a senior NATO official said. The Russians were firing 40,000 to 50,000 rounds per day. By comparison, the United States produces only 15,000 rounds each month. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/26/world/europe/nato-weapons-shortage-ukraine.html “NATO doesn’t really plan to fight wars like this, and by that I mean wars with a super intensive use of artillery systems and lots of tank and gun rounds,” said… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by Nigel Collins
JamesD
JamesD
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Read the RUSI report that’s just been released on Ukraine, the russians were using in 2 days the equivalent amount of artillery shells the UK has in total inventory.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago
Reply to  JamesD

Hopefully, all missing their intended targets. More useful kit is on the way for Ukraine who will win in the end with our help and that of other nations.🙏

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

That is, thankfully, more or less guaranteed with Orc tactics.

I’d say that 99% of their shots are totally wasted. They don’t do precision which is why they go for the Coventry/Dresden effect everywhere.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

JDAM guidance kits, perhaps, but believe US has literally 100+K dumb bombs in inventory, and believe that is a very conservative estimate. The rest of assessment is probably correct.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

The JDAM kits would be the kind of thing that it was relatively easy to step up production of. That is mostly an electronics manufacturing exercise.

Where it gets complicated is if you have to produce loads of rocket system and manufacture and then fill warheads.

Nick C
Nick C
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Also a very good article yesterday in the Times by Roger Boyes, giving the same figures. I believe that when Gavin Williamson was Minister of Defence there was a proposal to increase stockpiles and he vetoed it with the comment “I’m not going to be photographed in front of a f***ing warehouse”. As we all know he is an outstanding example of the standard of our politicians.

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Oh well at least they are honest. Perhaps the spare airframes that are sitting around can be made into a nato pool like the awacs and C17. Actually is the uk in those pools?

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

A question for Google!

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Could well be down to Germany no longer wanting to divest herself of some of the planes?

There is probably a very rational reason for that.

It is interesting that this is coming out of NAO and hadn’t ‘leaked’.

The lack of leaking suggests, to me, that Plan B exists and people are happy with it.

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago

As long as plan-B isn’t bringing back the Beverley.
On another note, I read that the Ukrainians are planning to rebuild the An-225 Mriya which I will believe when I see it. That said until I read the story I hadn’t realised Antonov was a Ukrainian company.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  Spyinthesky

Don’t have most of another one that wasn’t finished?

I would speculate that half the reason for the Russian invasion was to get Co trial of the substantial Ukrainian weapons industry.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago

Co trial? Autocorrect strikes again? Presume…control?

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

Sorry yes, control.

The Russians haven’t been able to make a wide range of munitions and systems since 2014…..

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago

Ukraine up to 2014 provided Russia with significant enabling systems for Russian weapon systems. In particular large maritime gas turbines, IR and active radar seekers for missiles, along with optics for tanks. Post the annexation of Crimea, Ukraine stopped all these being exported to Russia. Which has been dire for their weapons programs. Russia have set up new manufacturing facilities in Belarus. But the quality of these products is pretty shoddy. Where a number of air to air missiles in particular have failed in combat. I think the phrase: You reap what you sow, is very apt when it comes… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by DaveyB
Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  DaveyB

Yes, we discussed this back in March(?) when I was speculating as to how this might affect the path of things.

Steve
Steve
1 year ago

They do and it seems it’s a national pride topic. I suspect they are just talking about it without any serious plans to spend the money required at this stage, at least until they have won the war and rebuilt their country.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve

Sometimes you need a totemic National symbol to pull people together…..

Although the money could be better spent, for sure.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago

Fingers crossed.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago

Plan Bravo–retain the C-130s? 🤔

Propellerman
Propellerman
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

I think they are already being disposed of, 4 of the J’s have been handed over to the Bangladesh Airforce – the crews are being trained by the RAAF right now. The RAAF lads are amazed at how clapped out they already are😂

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Propellerman

To be fair. They have had a pretty hard life. With the constant shuttle runs initially to Iraq then Afghanistan. Mixed in with the normal routine stuff. Compared to other NATO countries. We run our equipment ragged as that’s all we have. Sometimes, the penny pinchers to see this. Only seeing we have X number of assets. Not seeing how they are being used.

Jim
Jim
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Not the worst thing we could loose, we have one of the worlds best transport fleets and the army is getting smaller.

eclipse
eclipse
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim

Hardly. We will have 22 A400M and 8 C-17 by the end of this. I wouldn’t call that one of the best, behind multiple other European powers.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  eclipse

Plus the Voyagers.

If the situation got really tough you would use commercial 747’s etc and there are loads of those around to go into the low threat areas.

Similarly for troop transport a bunch of 737 could easily be chartered for the low threat end of things.

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago

The RAF still regularly charter commercial flights. The one to the Falklands being a good example.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  DaveyB

Well quite.

Why wear out expensive airframes doing something that commercial frames can do just as well?

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago
Reply to  eclipse

This was interesting as of today.

Greece has shown interest in acquiring from the United Kingdom an undisclosed number of soon-to-be-retired Lockheed Martin C-130J/C-130J-30 Hercules airlifters.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/defence/latest/greece-interested-in-surplus-uk-hercules-airlifters

Paul42
Paul42
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Not good! However, I understand that BAE have been asked to provide a plan for upgrading the Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft after somebody finally realised just how small the RAF is these days and that losing 30 Tranche 1 aircraft in 2025 won’t help. Rumour is Type 32 might be put on hold due to affordability issues

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul42

That might be a reason for the Tactical Augmented Reality System to help with pilot training and get them up to speed quicker.

Good news if true!

“BAE Systems will collaborate with Red 6 to explore the integration of the Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality Systems (ATARS) onto the Hawk,” the announcement said. “This will enable pilots to identify, engage, and defeat virtual threats and co-operate with virtual wingmen whilst airborne.”

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/defence/latest/bae-developing-augmented-reality-for-hawk

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul42

There is so little commonality between T1 and T4 it would almost certainly be easier and more cost effective to start from scratch. No avionics cross over Very little structural cross over Loom is totally different Contol surfaces are all slightly different. What do you take across the – canopy – seat / ejector – part of the fuselage – part of the wings – two engines that can be upgraded – landing gear I’m struggling to think of many other bits that port across. I’d port that lot into a new build fuselage. Or has the line been dismantled… Read more »

Paul.P
Paul.P
1 year ago

Can you help me out here? I’ve not been following the Typhoon saga. What can T1 do and what worthwhile capabilities would it be economically feasible to give it? Launch Brimstone, Spear 3?

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul.P

That is the nub of the issue.

To make it do all those good things requires a full upgrade.

Others you have mixed maintenance, stores and training type headaches.

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul.P

The T1 is really an interceptor, it has limited ground attack capability. Project Centurion paid for the T2 and T3s to get the full Tornado GR4 capability. Where Storm Shadow and Brimstone were integrated onto the Typhoon. But perhaps the biggest issue with the T1 is that it can’t use Meteor, it has to use AMRAAM. The main problem is that the avionics are several generations behind those used in T3 let alone T4. It doesn’t have the structural modification for Captor-E Radar 2+ AESA radar. Though both Spain and Italy have paid to get theres modified to T3 standard… Read more »

Paul.P
Paul.P
1 year ago
Reply to  DaveyB

Thx. So if Spain and Italy have upgraded their T1s why would we need BAE to quote for upgrading ours unless we think BAE can do it better or more cheaply; or we are thinking of upgrading them in a different way…to give us a capability we don’t have; an AShM or JSM for example,

Klonkie
Klonkie
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul42

Hi Paul, now that sounds a really interesting development (well, potentially anyway), Might you have a link to any info in that regard? I can but hope the current economic pressures don’t force the planned Tranche 1 retirement.

John Stevens
John Stevens
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul42

Think that was the House of Commons Defence Select Committee. That asked BAE for that info:

Jim
Jim
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul42

Type 32 was always nonsense in my mind. Type 31 cheap as chips just build more of them and Type 26 can deploy drones and UUV in contested environment. Build something cheaper like Black Swan sloop of war that can operate sensors, drones and UUV in less contested water.

Quentin D63
Quentin D63
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim

With you Jim. An extra T26 and a few more uparmed T31s would be good now the production of both is now rolling.

Paul.P
Paul.P
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim

Yes. The batch 2 Rivers would surely be a contender as a basis for a Black Swan design. Replace one T32 with a squadron of batch 3 Rivers.

Jim
Jim
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul42

Even just parking those tranche 1 aircraft in a hanger would serve a use. Ukraine shows just how quick we will run out of high end platforms and what can be done with retro fitting even older aircraft.

I would love to see us eventually pass all typhoon in to some form of air national guard like the US does with RAF operating Tempest.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

What a surprise, not!

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago

Nothing quite like a surprise eh!

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Possible strawman to justify necessity of increased defense spending? Politicians can occasionally display some cleverness.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Possibly due to the need and redirected funds to restock our munitions of all types debt to Ukraine?

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

Debt to Russia would be a very good idea.

Steve
Steve
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

We will see if that happens. I fear we will just effectively take the cut in capability. We are almost a year in and no rumours of new orders for NLAW and yet state side and there is lots of talk about restocking javlin/stinger and how quickly it can be done etc.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

Debt? FFS don’t know how that got there, should say donated to Ukraine!

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
1 year ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Similar for the Type 32, apparently. String of commendable announcements of late likely followed by these. Personally, still dubious about Ajax – and Tempest, but that’s further down the line so not likely set for any announcements now.

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

Did nobody teach the government to do the negative sandwich? A negative in between 2 positives. Instead they do great news one week. Bad news for months.
The example would be 5 frigates ordered. Extra A400 not being bought. New stores ship ordered.
It makes the bad item not as bad.

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

You know that there will be some counterbalancing, but you come across it mostly by accident i.e. mumbled, not trumpeted. Silly.

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

What surprises me with this A400 announcement is it’s come from the National audit office. Who signed off on that.
It was only ever a wish list anyway the could of kept quiet and who knows when this purchase could of happened anyway

Steve
Steve
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

I would hold off calling the store ship as good news, until an actual contract is signed. Right now it is still at talk about it stage, could easily be cut.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

Ajax FFS it needs to go, great sensors, but bit big, very expensive and will become a gold plated solution to what could be a smaller, cheaper lighter role platform with the same sensors. My knowledge is a few years out of date, but keep and update warrior for the Armoured Inf lads and get Supacat to knock up a recce platform! However big fan of a decent overwatch platform, Ares, and a fan of commonality, hence my grudging support for the “Ajax” ASCOD programme, as a means of getting a number of decent platforms in use. And let’s not… Read more »

Ian M.
Ian M.
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

Hi Airborne, your grudging support will be gratefully accepted by the guys in Merthyr I’m sure. I can’t see how a firm such as Supacat could “knock up” a recce platform even given their superb, wheeled experience. The technology that makes AJAX what it is and it’s capabilities unfortunately dictates a sizeable platform to haul it around. Also take into account the MOD mandated requirements for exceptional survivability for the lads and girls in green who will operate the system.
Cheers
Ian M.

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Yep, that was one of the key drivers behind its size, compared to even Warrior. The MoD mandated that it had to be capable of taking multiple 30mm APFSDS hits. But not just the front, from what I’ve heard the sides too! Something Warrior cannot do. Hence, on the Ajax etc why they have the big boxy side armour. Which is likely to be a mixture of composite and spaced armour. If I remember correctly, adding 1cm of steel armour increases the weight by 1 ton. Looking at how well the Ukrainian BTR4s have done with their 30mm autocannons. Especially… Read more »

Ian M
Ian M
1 year ago
Reply to  DaveyB

At last, someone gets it.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Like I said mate my knowledge is now a few years out! I will of course defer to the SMEs on most things, but having been a light role soldier for a full career to include LE, while I know about ISTAR, it’s hard to see what new, extra bits and pieces can be put together to ensure the Ajax requires the size! Understand about survivability and the balance between speed, firepower and protection, with the added mix of the requirement for a Recce wagon to in fact require all 3 at various times. Also innovation breeds requirements and if… Read more »

Ian M
Ian M
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

Spot on.
👍

Paul.P
Paul.P
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

Funny you should mention upgrading Warrior. Stabilising the cannon has already been demonstrated.
“Leicestershire-based Digital Concepts Engineering (DCE ), which has already ‘robotised’ a Warrior during the MoD’s ‘Autonomous Warrior – Land’ experiment in 2018, has used that experience to propose a Warrior turret upgrade that it describes as a “low-cost, 80% solution” that would substitute for Ajax.”
https://www.army-technology.com/analysis/can-ajax-be-turned-around-warrior-return/

Ian M
Ian M
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

At last, someone gets it.

Ian M
Ian M
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M

That was meant for Davey B

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

Apologies for the extended waffle👍

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

Better than the muffins I tried toasting for breakfast yesterday, which were still frozen in the middle.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

😂👍

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

There’s now quite a number of Countries with vested interests in Tempest. Technology transfer and investment with Japan being probably the biggest.

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
1 year ago
Reply to  DaveyB

Acknowledged, DB. I have Japan, Sweden and Italy to date? Also, have no doubt that our aeronautical expertise is up to the task of designing a full 5th gen and full stealth fighter. Depends ultimately upon numbers produced, of course. So it’s the cost effectiveness that concerns me most, what with Germany, Spain, and France perhaps predictably, going their own way. Don’t see what boils down to political chauvinism (ok, in my view – and not principally UK in origin) benefits any parties on such advanced systems. I’d prefer a pan-European 360 degree threat assessment, arguably not difficult! and take… Read more »

DP
DP
1 year ago

So, anyone know, at what point will the bow housing for the sonar be fitted? Presume before it goes in the water, or will it go into dry dock once back up river?

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago
Reply to  DP

I doubt it from the photos I have seen there doesn’t look like the space to do so on the barge so that will be an interesting point which perhaps suggest it will have to come out of the water at some point.

Paul T
Paul T
1 year ago
Reply to  DP

Dry Dock after fitting out.

IanB
IanB
1 year ago

Draft question:

I’m not an Engineer or ship builder and this will sound a stupid question. Why put the ship in the water a year sooner than it needed to be? I assume the fit-out will take over a year and once the ship enters the water, it has salt attacking it which means the life span is shortened. Add to that, the levels on the ship constantly change in the water, wouldn’t it be a more precise fitting to fit it out on the shore?

Daft question ends:

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  IanB

Good question I don’t know the answer to. It is river water so maybe not as bad for the metal. Need to look at the facilities at scotstoun but I don’t think they have a ship lift.

Bringer of Facts
Bringer of Facts
1 year ago
Reply to  IanB

I’m no expert on this either but I would hazard a few guesses: it is easier to check for leaks and any other hull problems before the inside is fitted out, maybe add/adjust ballast?

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago

I reckon you are on to something there there must be all manner of things they need or best to assess before further fitting out and I presume continuing to check on as major items are gradually fitted, so can see the logic but certainly at some point you might think it preferable to get it out of the water for final protective work on the Hull before going on trials.

Frank62
Frank62
1 year ago
Reply to  IanB

Possibly to free up the space at the shipyard for the next to be assembled.

Paul42
Paul42
1 year ago
Reply to  IanB

Probably because they need the space to roll out the next one…..

Simon
Simon
1 year ago
Reply to  IanB

I think they are just doing it this way as it’s a controlled launch and Glen Mallan has deep water for the barge to submerge. They will bring it back to the Scotstoun dry dock, which has been refurbed recently. I think in the pic its prop shaft is not fitted yet, which will be done in dry dock.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  IanB

Harder to steal, takes longer to get it out of the water and down the breakers yard, for the parts to be sold on eBay and in Eastern Europe 👍

eclipse
eclipse
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

Always a worry there… I wonder if the Royal Navy has ever had a ship stolen from port.

Matt
Matt
1 year ago
Reply to  eclipse

Medway Raid 1667, flagship HMS Royal Charles half-inched by the Dutch. Charles II was not a happy bunny.

Royal Coat of Arms from the stern still on display in Amsterdam.

They lent it us back for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012. 🙂

Last edited 1 year ago by Matt
DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Matt

Remember when the flag went missing, when I was aboard Lusty. Sh*t seriously hit the fan. We gave it back eventually.

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
1 year ago
Reply to  IanB

The reason is that the builds tend to be at Govan and the fit out is at Scotstoun and there a many sensible reasons for that. Two are the specialised split of workforce and skills over both yards and secondly Scotstoun has 3 dry docks, whilsr Govan has zero. One of the drydocks is equiped with pair of sumps (imagine a big hull wide inspection pit) one at the bow and one at the stern, the ship is carefully positioned over those and the water then pumped out. These faciltate the application of the hull anti fouling coating. propellor fitting… Read more »

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

Why not do the whole build at Scotstoun? Shut down Govan and move everything down the river.

Last edited 1 year ago by DaveyB
Tom
Tom
1 year ago

Glen Mallan is miles away from Glasgow, on the edge of nowhereshire.

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

If you check VesselFinder and search one of the Tugs CMS Wrestler for example, you will find her and 4 others all in a little cluster just off Glen Mallan.
Check their tracks from Port Glasgow up the Clyde to Govan and back down past Greenock, HMS Glasgow is already there.
So not too far by sea, by road it is a wee bit more circuitous.

Andrew Duffy
Andrew Duffy
1 year ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

I would just like to say a massive WELL done to all guys and girls who have produced a fine ship ,(everyone deserves a good bonus for all there hard work )

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

Up the loch, round the end, down the other side quite a few times on the road. Lovely drive though

Jon
Jon
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

I assume it’s out of the way of shipping on the Clyde, in case something goes wrong. But, isn’t Glen Mallan where the ammunition jetty for the carriers is? Presumably it’ll be far enough away from that too.

Last edited 1 year ago by Jon
ABCRodney
ABCRodney
1 year ago
Reply to  Jon

It’s just a Big Jetty with some cranes, the Big Bangy Bits are a wee bit further inland, but it is a secure site, up the Loch from Coulport and has very deep water.

Tomartyr
Tomartyr
1 year ago

We should bring back the old ceremonial ship launch.

Make it a televised event, perhaps with a pop band playing on the stern as it crashes into the water?

The sea used to be considered romantic, in too many ways have we made it sterile.

Jim
Jim
1 year ago
Reply to  Tomartyr

No one wants to see a billion pound warship rolling down a ramp in an uncontrolled fashion.

Unless it’s Russian or Chinese 😀

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Tomartyr

Perhaps an updated version of the band playing on RMS Titanic? 😉

Heidfirst
Heidfirst
1 year ago
Reply to  Tomartyr

H&S would have kittens … the Clyde isn’t very wide at Govan.

Jon
Jon
1 year ago
Reply to  Tomartyr

There’ll be a naming ceremony, I’m sure, featuring the Princess of Wales and a bottle of champers.

Davy H
Davy H
1 year ago

Pleased to see her going down the Clyde this afternoon.👍

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago

“The next stage of outfitting”, to include 14 park benches, FBNW cider necking alcoholics, a module based benefits office which can quickly transition within 4 hours to the “homeless” module, and offensive weaponry to include canister launcher broken pint glasses and the CWS bar stools! Ah isn’t stereotyping fun……..😂👍!

Heidfirst
Heidfirst
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

your info is out of date, cider is no longer the drink of choice following Scotland’s minimum unit pricing for alcohol. 😛

Ian M.
Ian M.
1 year ago
Reply to  Heidfirst

I always thought it was “Bucky”?

Heidfirst
Heidfirst
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Buckie actually got cheaper under MUP & consequently sales went up … We also popularly have Dragon Soop which was originally created just to the SE of Glasgow.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/23124710.buckfast-sales-soared-40-minimum-pricing/

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Heidfirst

It’s now Hooch?

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago

MoD equipment budget seems to be in a mess. Deficit of £2.6 billion over 10 years likely grown to £4 billion due to inflationary pressures. At risk programmes. Warrior replacement. Further batches of more heavily armed boxers. Type 32 and MRSS. Future LS auxillarys. Cut too A300M programme so further batch of 8 for £768 million will not be purchased. Further defence cuts are coming folks. Just not yet announced. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/11/30/army-cannot-afford-tank-replacements-wants-says-national-audit/ This is a crap report from the Telegraph. I despair about the quality of journalism in the UK. Boxer is apparently a replacement for challenger 2. Flippin daft and… Read more »

Mike
Mike
1 year ago

This does seem a very inefficient method of building and launching. Hopefully it will be better with the new shed, but ideally a bae supersite to do all tasks must be better.

Glad future ships will be built indoors. Hopefully enabling bae to be more competitive on the global market. Its sad when we see European competitors getting more export wins

Matt
Matt
1 year ago

I’m losing the will to live.

What happened to “24 frigates and destroyers in toto”?

Has Type 32 been canned (TBH thought it had been already) and are we back to 19 by 2035?

Can someone post a brief summary?

Last edited 1 year ago by Matt