The UK’s eight new Type 26 – or City Class – Frigates, the first of which is under construction in Glasgow, will replace the current Type 23 Frigates to form a backbone of the Royal Navy by providing anti-submarine protection to the entire Fleet.

Type 26 at a glance

• Eight vessels will be bought into service to undertake the Royal Navy’s three core roles – war-fighting, maritime security and international engagement.
• Of the eight, three have been named: HMS Glasgow, HMS Belfast and more recently HMS Cardiff.
• The Type 26 fleet will have the flexibility needed to react to current and future challenges, such as combat scenarios, counter piracy, as well as humanitarian and disaster relief and will be able to operate independently for significant periods of time, or as part of a wider task group.
• The DE&S Ships Acquisition team is working with industry to oversee the ships’ construction.

“The DE&S staff in my area are passionate about leading the nation’s Complex Warship projects covering such iconic programmes as the Type 26 and others. Together employing over 10,000 people mainly in the UK every year, these projects are all highly innovative and massive undertakings that will provide value to the UK taxpayer for up to 50 years.”