Thales has announced the completion of key factory tests on the mission and combat systems that will equip the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates, describing the results as a major step forward in the £2 billion programme.
According to the company, Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for the Mission System were completed in April 2025, followed by the Combat System tests in June. Both are now moving to land-based trials at the Shore Integration Facility ahead of installation aboard HMS Venturer, the first of the five-ship class under construction at Rosyth.
At the centre of the frigates’ capability will be Thales’ TACTICOS Combat Management System, developed in the Netherlands. The system functions as the operational core of the ship, providing sensor control, picture compilation, situation assessment, action support and weapon control.
James Wooldridge, Thales Programme Director for Type 31, described the milestone as the result of sustained effort: “This has been an incredible achievement over the last 18 months in terms of learning, building, collaborating and holding steadfast towards delivering this mission-critical commitment to our customer. The team has demonstrated some incredible resilience, innovation and commitment.”
The programme is being delivered by an international consortium, with Babcock leading construction at Rosyth. Paul Watson, Arrowhead Managing Director at Babcock, said: “The successful completion of the Mission and Combat Systems FATs marks another significant step forward for the Type 31 programme and reflects the strength of our collaboration with Thales and our wider industry partners. Together, we are delivering a world-class capability for the Royal Navy and creating a strong foundation for the future of the Inspiration Class frigates.”
Andy Laing, Managing Director of Above Water Systems UK at Thales, added: “Working closely with our Royal Navy and Babcock colleagues, we are delighted to have successfully completed this critical stage in the development of the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigates. It represents another demonstration of Thales’ proven ability to deliver integrated naval mission systems to the highest standards.”
The completion of both FATs brings the project into a new phase, with the systems now prepared for integration and sea trials in the second half of the decade. The announcement follows steady progress on the physical build of the Type 31 class at Rosyth, where HMS Venturer is being fitted out and work continues on subsequent ships.
Let’s hope it can be put to see Jan-April with the 2nd ship 6 months behind in service
“ describing the results as a major step forward in the £2 billion programme”
That is inflation for you….if started as a £1.25Bn program then became £1.75Bn….£400m per ship is at least realistic if it has Mk41 etc.
No.Type 31 had a 2 billion budget from the start. 1.25 billion was for the shipyard to build the ships. The balance pays for all the other expense (including GFX) getting the ships into service and supported for the first few years.
The 2 billion has increased, I think it’s now around 2.25 now.
Do we know yet what the initial weapons fit of HMS Venturer is going to be ? Is it still 12 CAAM launchers? , Is NSM being fitted before commissioning?
Yes & no.
Looking at the latest pics of this ship, she looks terrible, all the panels look dented and all the sides show long lines, reminds me of a nackered T23.
But I’m sure they are fine.
Must be the first time you’ve seen a Navy ship.
Yes, never seen one before in my life and this is the worse one of any of them I’ve never seen.
Must be looking at different pictures than me – she looks great.
Obviously I must be.
“should have gone to specsavers” !
A couple of years ago the Defence Select Committee asked an admiral when will the Type 32 come out of concept? The answer was, we are waiting to see how the new CMS of the Type 31 works. A pretty surprising response in my opinion, how does the CMS dictate the concept? However, it’s time the Defence Select Committee asked the question again. What does the Navy want from a Type 32?
Might it be that they don’t want it to ever come out of Concept as awkward questions would be asked, like “what now?” Might someone have to make a decision?
No freakin’ money mate.
The MRSS is a bigger priority for them and they can’t the get the budget for both. The navy seems to really want 6 MRSS and it seems the are willing to cancel the T32 and move some of the frigate jobs on tot he MRSS like Fire support and even secondary air defence.
Personally I think it’s a mistake, two or three MRSS would be plenty especially if they are 30,000(t) and the navy can tap on some more T31/32 to get the escort fleet back in to the 20’s.
How can they cancel T32 Jim ? Surely that would mess up all the long lead orders ?
“I see no ships”.
As we went over before, in another thread, the best solution would be for T32 to be AAW land attack focussed.
I get the idea that T31 needs to work before ordering more. This is the software validation. The timing is interestingly before the equipment shipping list is published.
The idea of having six GATOR sized platforms is too much concentrated on a single platform.
Nobody has explained the drivers for this loopy design.