The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has reaffirmed that the Type 26 frigate programme is progressing steadily, with five of the eight planned vessels now under construction.
Responding to a parliamentary question, Defence Minister Maria Eagle spoke on the government’s commitment to delivering these advanced warships, designed to replace the Type 23 fleet and secure the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities well into the 2060s.
HMS Sheffield, the fifth frigate in the City Class, marked a significant milestone with its steel-cutting ceremony on November 28, 2024. Reflecting on this progress, the minister stated:
“The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with BAE Systems (BAES) to ensure the Type 26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver world-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates.”
HMS Glasgow, the lead ship in the programme, is expected to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by 2028, while the entire fleet of eight frigates is slated for completion by the mid-2030s. The MOD confirmed that HMS Cardiff recently completed its float-off operation and joined HMS Glasgow at Scotstoun for the outfitting phase.
Highlighting the broader significance of the programme, Eagle added:
“Following the recent steel-cut ceremony for HMS Sheffield on 28 November 2024, five of the eight Type 26 frigates are now under construction on the Clyde.”
The Type 26 frigates are set to become a cornerstone of the Royal Navy’s operational capabilities. Designed for anti-submarine warfare, these warships will safeguard the UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent and support the Carrier Strike Group. They will also contribute to a range of international operations, including counter-piracy and humanitarian relief missions.
The programme’s economic impact is substantial. Approximately 2,000 jobs are supported in Scotland, with a further 4,000 jobs across the UK supply chain. At the steel-cutting ceremony for HMS Sheffield, Maria Eagle underscored the dual importance of the programme:
“HMS Sheffield represents not just a cutting-edge addition to our fleet but also demonstrates our commitment to supporting thousands of skilled jobs and economic growth across Scotland and the wider UK.”
Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems Naval Ships, also noted:
“HMS Sheffield’s construction will benefit from investments transforming our digital and physical infrastructure, consolidating a centre of excellence for UK shipbuilding in Glasgow.”
Despite the steady progress, the timeline remains ambitious. HMS Glasgow’s planned IOC by the end of 2028 will be a critical test for the programme’s ability to meet its targets.
Delays in such complex projects are always a risk, and maintaining momentum will require sustained effort from all stakeholders. However, the recent milestones, including HMS Sheffield’s construction, indicate that the programme is on track to deliver.
Is this going to have Lockheed Martin ExLs launchers quad-packed for CAMM? If so, is this 24 cells each cell with the quad pack or is each quad pack classed 4 cells? Thanks.
The images of Glasgow in fitting out show covers over what appears to be 6 cell GWS 35 launchers, she will likely receive 48 cells each with a single missile split across two 24 cell farms, as previous renders have shown.
Same 6 cell type going into the T45s. Seems a wasted opportunity for the quad CAMM or additional mk41s but 48 CAMM is still pretty decent. I’d liked to have seen a 8 cell type developed for the same space.
The only downside in the future of using the mushroom farm cells will be an inability to incorporate longer range CAMM variants, such as CAMM-ER and CAMM-MR. However, given that the Type 26’s radar is somewhat limited in capability, I doubt that it could take full advantage of those further-reaching missiles anyway, so the actual loss of capability from the mushroom farms over the Mk41 in that sense is limited. Save the Mk41s for the Type 31s.
The type 26 frigate won’t be fitted with the mushroom farm, instead it will be fitted with a VLS system that can fit the CAMM missiles
What a shame.
Two years ago we did have some quite long chats on why soft launch has advantages over hot launch.
Basically, they’re going with the mushroom farm. I was getting alittle confused becuase some conversations were mentioning that LM Exls were bring used. Thanks.
Those Gws launchers seem to be capable but seem a waste of valuable space.
They are basic but cost effective – as many have said on here before why fill your MK41 with CAMM when a simpler easier solution exists,save those Cells for Weapons that really need them.
No – the CAMM cells are planned to be the standard launchers for that weapon. The Mk.41 can take them quad packed if needs be.
Has a MK41 ever fired a CAMM?
Better with Tomahawks.
Still no mention as to whether the MOD will allow BAES to include the transfer of Belfast or Birmingham as part of its response to Norway’s tender for 5-6 new frigates. Given the requirement that the first frigate must be delivered by 2029, BAES has no hope of delivering a compliant bid otherwise. The German (F126 class) and USA/Italian (Constellation class) consortiums have a similar problem as the German and US navies seem unlikely to agree to give up a ship currently in build. By contrast France is expected to exceed the requirement by offering delivery of the former Amiral Castex in 2028. Given that the FDI design is also by far the lowest cost, Naval Group seems to be in pole position for the order.
But…..the main tender consideration wasn’t cost it was ASW capability….
I doubt BAE would be able to offer anything before Birmingham as the Batch 1’s will be a different price but even thought the RN desperately need the T26 ‘s ASAP I think Birmingham onwards every other RN/Norway would just about cope? At the end of the day Norway wasn’t the best ASW frigate and the T26 is the best possible solution “we hope”
If ( big if ) Norway chooses the T26 im sure the Clever Souls at BAE and the MOD will find an acceptable solution to how they can be delivered without causing catastrophic issues for the RN.
What offensive capabilities do they have exactly?
None until they get missiles for MK41 VLS which will take time…
At least a large range of missiles exist for a Mk41 system!
‘well into the 2060’s’
Lets hope they’ve got a hull life of at least 30-35 years then. T23s have been wonderful ships with a horribly short hull design life.
The Type 23’s were known as the ‘Skoda’ class i believe – they have exceeded all expectations to last as long as they have.
On track? They are several years late and too few ordered. Utter humbug.
Weren’t the delays more political though. Once the programme was finally given the go ahead after all the ridiculous deliberations, it’s been on track hasn’t it. Am I wrong, has there been actual delays during the build?
Another 3 years until HMS Glasgow is in service. No urgency then ?
It is clear now the bottleneck is now fitting out and sea trials, Maybe more resources and investment would speed these processes up.
would we all like to see 12 T26s or more hell yes are we going to see them, no. Or could we? So first question is, can the Artisan radar work with the Aster 30 missile? Second question has the Aster 30 been used from a Mk41?
If the answer is that both are possible then what we could do is have a batchIII T26 call them T46, but the change should be to replace the forward CAMM launchers with 2 extra blocks of Mk41s making it five blocks of 8 cells, keep the ASW capability and build six of this version. These ships with say 3 T83 AAW destroyers with 12 Mk41 blocks would form the dedicted carrier escort groups. One group per carrier and one group in refit or repair. This leaves the ASW T26s for pure anti submarine work or to beef up the carrier group.
This increase in hull numbers, AAW and ASW capability would cost almost the same as 6 T83s for the build cost. The increase in hull numbers would reduce the maintance costs as the ships would not be run so hard but increase RN costs as more crews would need to be found.
Whatever people say I like the T26, possibly one of the best warships the RN have had in a long time, its just a pity that it is taking so long to get them into the fleet and that we are not getting enough out of the design.
I too like the T26, it is one good looking ship. I actually however don’t want anymore than the 8, reason being is that it would delay type 83 substantially.
Provided the type 83 has the same high standard of ASW I think it would be wiser to build 12 type 83 rather than 4 extra type 26. It would be nice to have 12 t26 and 12 t83 but that is not going to happen.
Neither is 12 destroyers