One of the largest buildings in the country, the new frigate factory at the BAE Systems shipyard in Govan, Glasgow, is taking shape, with the roof supports now going onto the frame.
The massive facility at Govan represents a huge boost in capability for UK naval shipbuilding.
The new ‘frigate factory’ will consist of more than 6,000 tonnes of steel and 20,000m3 of concrete.
It will be able to fit two Type 26 Frigates side by side.
And another, because why not?
Below is how the site looked last year.
Work has started on a huge expansion of the BAE Systems yard at Govan, with excavators currently filling in the old 'wet basin' to make way for a huge new 'frigate factory'. Read more here: https://t.co/uBquNHihd9 pic.twitter.com/zsgdzkX9Lx
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) February 14, 2023
I previously reported that planning permission had been granted for a huge new shipbuilding hall at the BAE Systems site in Govan, with work on the first ship to be built in the facility starting soon.
It is hoped that Type 26 ships 3 to 8 will be assembled in this facility, with the first two being assembled outdoors. HMS Glasgow is shown below when she was being put together on the hard standing, adjacent to the wet basin area after she was built in sections in the existing build hall and joined together.
The new build hall wil allow ships to be built indoors, protecting them against the elements and would form part of an effort to modernise the yard. In terms of dimensions, the shipbuilding hall will be approximately 81 metres wide, 170 metres long and 49 metres high to the building ridge line. This represents a massive expansion of capabilities and capacity at the yard, as let’s not forget, the original build hall will still be available for use.
Many thanks for keeping us updated on the progress of this important shipbuilding factory. Your efforts are much appreciated George. Slightly related to George’s article above, NL has taken a look at the investment underway at Harland and Wolff.
I’d second that thanks to George and the team.
Also, I saw that article on NL and it was rather more up beat than some recent comments on here recently. There is still some issue with the government loan guarantee but it seems that they are still talking to HMT. Certainly H&W have been busy investing and winning orders for a range of different projects.
Lets hope who ever is in Government next supports the National Ship Building Strategy.
Cheers CR
Yes, that’s what has struck me with both George’s updates on the Govan investment and now NL’s cautiously positive report on Harland and Wolff, it does seem ship building in the U.K. is now on a stable footing.
Looking good! Hope they get the roof on before winter. Though from the angle of the header photo it doesn’t look as though a ship with its mast in place would fit.
As was said on the previous thread the Masts will be fitted outside.
Aah!
Projected completion date? 2025?
Vital to rebuilding the navy. It is vital that the royal navy has the best ships available and it is vital that the good men and women in Govan have the best chance of making that happen.
Hopefully the Norwegians will take the T26 and the T83 will then follow or extra T26s. Slightly on a tangent, with the RAN reducing their T26/Hunters down from 9 to 6 there’s no commentary on any compensation so maybe it’s all amicable and was pre-final contract? I thought with this reduction that the UK might still get a lookin with the T31 for the RAN light frigate as its 7-11 ships plus Indonesia building two plus NZ might adopt but it hasn’t made the final four choices. Seems like somethings been missed there? And with the B2 Rivers, 1-2 license… Read more »
I don’t think T31 could be delivered on the tight timeline dictated in the new Aus frigate plan. Especially since the RN really needs T31 soon to make up numbers.
Is it me, or even with the scale of the new build hall is it still not tall enough for the mast to be fitted before roll out? It could just be the angles and perspective distorting the view but it appears to be a few meters too short to do it.
As Paul T states above:
“ As was said on the previous thread the Masts will be fitted outside.”
Mast will go on outside, it’s a whole seperate component that’s lifted on in 1 piece
Thanks Both. I must have missed that. Having said that, I imagine it will also be later on on the process because there isn’t enough room to do it left in front of the construction hall so it will probably be done at Scotstoun.
Well unless they plan to do it as they are wheeling her onto the submersible barge. Watch this space as they say.
Many thanks George. Facts rather than opinions leads the way.
👍⭐
Aye we living near to this place are extremely annoyed by the way the building is interfering with the mobiles abilities to get a signal , something is that annoying and you can get a call from time to time and you end up with zero signal during important calls , and that’s just the cranes , it’ll be worst the more they build these metal signal destroyers , I hope they put a new signal tower in elder park to balance the problem with signal strength , and the noise they’re happy to make is also not a good… Read more »
?? Sorry Tommo, there’s nought worse than an interfering building. 🙃. Is it registered!! 😕🕳️
Doh, sorry TOMMY….. 🙃 🕳️ Confusing your good self wi Tommo, (we have a larf now and then) 😵 👍