New images of HMS Glasgow show the Royal Navy’s first Type 26 frigate taking shape on the Clyde as the 8,000-tonne warship moves closer to sea trials.
The photographs capture the scale of the City-class frigate, with her towering mast, expansive flight deck and enclosed mission bay now clearly visible as outfitting progresses. The vessel, the first of eight planned for the Royal Navy, recently reached a key milestone by generating her own power for the first time.
In December, BAE Systems confirmed that HMS Glasgow’s diesel generators had been switched on, allowing the ship to self-power as systems integration gathers pace. The generators form a core part of the Type 26’s hybrid propulsion architecture, providing electrical power for onboard systems and enabling quiet propulsion when required.
The Type 26 Global Combat Ship has been designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, with low acoustic signature central to the platform’s design. Power generation, auxiliary systems and internal routing have been engineered to minimise noise and vibration, reducing detectability during operations.
At around 8,000 tonnes displacement and measuring more than 140 metres in length, the Type 26 will replace the Royal Navy’s ageing Type 23 anti-submarine frigates. The class is intended to be highly versatile, capable of conducting anti-submarine operations, maritime security, escort duties and supporting carrier strike and littoral operations.
HMS Glasgow is being built at BAE Systems’ shipyards on the Clyde, where further ships in the class are at varying stages of construction. The programme also includes five Type 26 frigates for Norway, while variants of the design have been selected by both Canada and Australia.
With propulsion systems energised and major equipment now installed, the ship is progressing towards eventual sea trials later this year before formal acceptance into Royal Navy service.
That old line “Come and look at my huge warship”
“Worlds most powerful Frigate”.
There, that sounds better.
Maybe. The Gorshkovs are arguably more capable in every domain save ASW, as are the two in-construction Constellations.
Theoretically, the Type 26 will have more missile capacity
24 VLS cells for offensive missiles
48 cells for SeaCeptor
Not sure what offensive missile load-out she will have,
but I assume some of the VLS will have some type of Anti-sub weapon (Asroc?)
Gorshkov
16 VLS cells for Kalibr, Oniks, Zircon anti-ship cruise missiles or Otvet anti-submarine missiles.
32 VLS cells for 9M96, 9M96M, 9M96D/9M96DM(M2), and/or quad-packed 9M100 surface-to-air missiles
The Gorshkov does have torpedo tubes which the RN seems reluctant to fit to any new vessel.
The Gordhkovs….hmmeee….well….right….
Nice boat… How many are the RN getting… 4? Are Norway’s being built before the RN’s other ships?
8 – maybe read the article before commenting? 🤷🏻♂️
5….
8.
Shaping up to be a lovely lady, and hopefully a savage Ivan hunting femme fatale.
It’s a hooog, bigly hooog warship.
A good indicator that she is almost ready for sea trials will be when the navigation radars and satcom domes are visible on the mast.
I assume the type 997 main radar will be fitted last?
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