HMS Cardiff, the second of eight Type 26 frigates being built by BAE Systems as a result of a DE&S-procured contract for the Royal Navy, has entered water for the first time.

The anti-submarine warfare frigate, which is sponsored by Welsh singing star Katherine Jenkins, was transferred from BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow on to a barge to begin the float-off process.

She was then towed down river to a deep-water location in the West of Scotland. Once in position, and over a number of hours the barge was submerged and HMS Cardiff entered the water.

Engineers from the DE&S and the Royal Navy supported the float off process which is a modern, efficient and low risk way for the City Class ship to enter the water.

Pat Browning, DE&S T26 Team Leader, said: “We are delighted to have reached this key milestone in the build programme for HMS Cardiff. This is a significant achievement for the entire Type 26 programme team, and is a moment we can all be proud of, as we continue to work towards delivering the new fleet of the Royal Navy’s most cutting-edge Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates.”

HMS Cardiff has now arrived at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard where she will undergo the next stages of outfit before test and commissioning.

Replacing the bulk of the retiring Type 23 fleet, these remarkable vessels will play a crucial role in the continued protection and prosperity of our nation.

When complete, the Type 26 frigates will be the backbone of the Royal Navy’s surface presence and the most advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) warships of their time, designed for critical protection of the Continuous At-Sea Deterrent and Carrier Strike Group.

David Shepherd, Type 26 Programme Director, BAE Systems, said: “HMS Cardiff entering the water for the first time is a significant milestone for everyone involved in her delivery across our programme. It is an incredibly complex operation, involving months of planning and hundreds of skilled and dedicated people. I’m proud of them all.”

“We now we look forward to the next phase of her build, outfitting and installing the complex systems that will bring her to life.”

The same float off process was previously used for the first-of-class, HMS Glasgow, in November 2022. Of the other Type 26 vessels in-build, while HMS Glasgow’s outfitting process is being undertaken in Scotstoun, HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham are being fabricated at Govan.

HMS Cardiff will be the last Type 26 to be constructed outside in the elements, as the new multi-million pound Janet Harvey Hall in Govan will see the remaining frigates have their structures completed indoors.

In Scotstoun, the ship’s outfit will be completed and the complex systems installed before test and commissioning takes place.

The entire programme consists of eight ships and will support 1,700 BAE Systems jobs in Scotland, as well as around 2,300 jobs across the wider UK maritime supply chain until 2035. As the first ship in class, HMS Glasgow is expected to enter service in 2028.