The Type 31 Frigate Programme continues to move forward despite facing challenges that have extended its timeline.
The project, which aims to deliver a fleet of general-purpose frigates for the Royal Navy, remains at an Amber Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA), according to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) Annual Report 2023-24.
Designed to serve as a versatile and flexible addition to the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, the Type 31 frigates will replace ageing vessels while addressing modern threats. These ships are expected to perform a wide range of missions, including intelligence collection, defence engagement, and intercepting unlawful activities at sea. Additionally, the programme supports the UK’s commitment to maintaining a global naval presence and strengthening alliances.
The programme is considered a pathfinder initiative, setting the stage for the government’s broader shipbuilding ambitions by emphasising cost-effective, adaptable designs.
Ongoing Challenges
While the programme has made progress, several issues remain:
- Commercial and Workforce Challenges: A commercial dispute with the shipbuilder has been resolved, but the programme continues to face challenges related to inflation and a shortage of skilled shipbuilders.
- Technical Hurdles: Integrating a new combat system for the Royal Navy and adhering to an ambitious build timeline for the first-of-class ship present significant technical challenges.
- Revised Timelines: The project’s completion date has shifted from March 2029 to May 2030, reflecting adjustments made after the dispute resolution and subsequent schedule risk assessments.
Path Ahead
Efforts are ongoing to mitigate these challenges, with the MOD and contractors working collaboratively to identify schedule risks and potential efficiencies. The programme’s progress is being closely monitored under the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) governance processes.
Despite these hurdles, the Type 31 programme remains on track to deliver significant capabilities. The first ships are expected to enter service later int he decade, providing the Royal Navy with a credible, globally deployable warship.
Understanding Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) Ratings
The Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) ratings provide an evaluation of the likelihood of a project meeting its objectives in terms of time, cost, and scope. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority uses these ratings to identify challenges and provide recommendations for improvement. The ratings are categorized as follows:
- Green: A Green rating indicates that the project is on track to deliver successfully, with minimal risks identified. Any issues are well understood and manageable within the existing plans.
- Amber: An Amber rating signifies that while successful delivery is feasible, there are significant issues that require focused management attention. These challenges could pose risks to the project’s timeline, budget, or objectives if not addressed effectively.
- Red: A Red rating reflects serious concerns about the project’s ability to meet its objectives. Immediate corrective action is needed to address fundamental issues, as the project is unlikely to succeed without significant changes or interventions.
These ratings offer a snapshot of project performance and help ensure that potential issues are identified and mitigated early, improving the likelihood of successful delivery.
So has this been rebaselined to absorb the 14 months delay and avoid being a red project? If so it’s disappointing that it’s still amber. I’m not sure why the delay is being associated with the financial dispute. It will be interesting to see if a new delivery date for Venturer is vouchsafed to the taxpayers when it’s finally launched at some point this year.
I love these new Type 31s, I think they’re so damn cool.
Great hullform, roomy for expansion and a good weight at 7,000t, no warship should be lighter than that.
I think the armament is superb and demonstrates impressive ability to choose excellent offensive and defensive capabilities while keeping costs under control.
Those Bofors are sick after, anti-ship, Anti-Air and CIWS so they don’t need to purchase Phalanx.
Strike length Mk41 gives you unparalleled flexibility and they can quad pack CAMM.
Not to mention the Wildcat helo.
CODAD means no expensive GT and it’s still fast
All AESA radar, extensive ECW suite
All tied together with this new OTS Combat system.
I ain’t know much about it, other than it’s not AEGIS, hopefully it demonstrates the ability to identify targets and coordinate all the weapons itself.
The modular mission bay that takes shipping containers as the modules? Genius.
And all for £250 million
You are John Healey and I claim my £5 😁
£250 million – is it April 1st already ?.
Lol 250 Mil was the og price excluding gfe. That’s been raised to about 300mil or more after payment disputes, and then the addition of Mk41 will be costed above that.
So last type 31 delivered in May 2030 so probably operational some time in 2031….
The late 2020s are going to be a real problem escort wise for the RN.
Yes, but the die is cast now. The T23 lifex has done its thing. Got to hope Glasgow, Cardiff and Venturer come into service on time or earlier and have few teething troubles. All the technology is proven so reason to be optimistic I think.
Too many promises are made by Defence contractors resulting in orders being placed and the inevitable delays. All defence projects should be subject to penalty clauses to re-imburse HM Government, woth due consideration to purchasing vessels from Foreign shipyards if ours simply arn’t up to the task.