Babcock has laid the keel for HMS Formidable at Rosyth, marking the next scheduled milestone in the Type 31 frigate programme, which will deliver five ships to the Royal Navy within 10 years of contract signing.
The first modular section was lowered onto a commemorative coin in line with naval tradition, witnessed by Babcock staff, Royal Navy personnel and international guests.
HMS Formidable’s keel has been laid at Rosyth, marking the next step in the Type 31 programme. @geoallison spoke with Babcock leadership about build pace, innovation and the role this frigate line is set to play in the future fleet. 🎥 Full video below. pic.twitter.com/KNPaIAEDAh
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) December 9, 2025
Sir Nick Hine, chief executive of Babcock Marine, said the moment reflects the yard’s growing output and capability. “This is an important week in the history of Rosyth,” he said. “As the keel of HMS Formidable is laid in this vital UK defence programme, our workforce is delivering advanced programmes, driving economic growth and providing highly skilled jobs.”
Commander Thomas Hetherington, the senior Royal Navy officer for the T31 project, said the ship will play a central role in the future frigate force. “HMS Formidable’s keel laying marks a significant milestone,” he said. “The third of five ships, she will help modernise the Royal Navy’s frigate fleet and enhance the lived experience for our sailors.”
DE&S Type 31 team leader Steve Ranyard said the programme continues to meet key milestones. “Today’s keel laying marks another key milestone towards the Royal Navy’s future capabilities,” he said. “This demonstrates the excellent progress we’re making in delivering these versatile frigates.”
Based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, the Type 31 platform is also driving export work in Poland and Indonesia. Apprentices at Rosyth are already contributing to the build. Seventeen-year-old Joolz, a welding and fabrication apprentice, said: “I’m learning from experienced professionals and contributing to something that matters for the UK and has such a positive impact for our local community.”
Looking at Babcock’s build schedule for the 5 x T31s. There is an uncomfortable question that needs asking. When the last T31 is fitted out and goes through trials and in to commission. What next for Babcock’s Rosyth facilities?
Apparently they could build the MRSS there. If that’s the case that jobs for 6-10 years.
However we honestly need a batch of 5 type 31/32s. Just build 5 more with added ASW capabilities and bang. That means we can get 5 extra in service by 2035 and remove the frigate gap so much quicker
There’s no ambition for more frigates
That’s why Babcock have been hunting for export orders and trying to suggest a different version of the Arrowhead for the Type 32. Whether or not any of that pans out is the other question, I imagine to keep industrial supply chains running something will need to be decided relatively soonish.
I say scrap the Mk41 integration as a concept, at least until their MLU. If you’re going to spend that money, use it to procure additional CAMM systems that’d be cheaper, and dedicate the remaining money to something else, or focus on purchasing a small containerised towed array sonar.
The bigger news is Babcock suggesting that the Type 31’s be converted in to a Common Command Vessel (CCV) configuration, each controlling a networked force of large autonomous uncrewed surface vessels and systems. This seems to be a clever attempt to reposition the role of the T31, goodbye world-wide forward deployment, hello Atlantic Bastion.
Time between first steel and keel laying for HMS Venturer was 6 months. Time between first steel and keel laying for HMS Active was 8 months. Time between first steel and keel laying for HMS Formidable was 14 months. I’m assuming this is a knock on effect of the delay to launching Venturer. Having only two slots in the build hall and assembling there over a longer period of time could lead to long delays, but perhaps that’s not the problem. Maybe the issue starts earlier in the build process. I’d hoped the blocks would all be stacked up awaiting fast assembly, but that doesn’t seem to be so. Active will be rolled out of the build hall “next year”, as will first steel be cut on Bulldog, but when during next year?
The schedule is supposed to get faster after the first ship, with times between ships dropping to one every year. Instead they seem to be stretching. A build every 18 months taking 4 years would see the final ship delivered to the Navy in early 2032, at least two years and a half years over schedule. Nevertheless, Babcock would still need to speed up to achieve it.