Project Description
The Type 26 frigate is set to be the Royal Navy’s most advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) warship of her time, designed for critical protection of the Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG).
What are Type 26 Frigates?
As a replacement for the Type 23 ASW frigates, it is designed to support joint and multinational operations across the full spectrum of operations including counter-piracy, humanitarian and disaster relief work. It will be capable of operating independently for significant periods, or as part of a task group.
The T26 frigate, with cutting-edge technology, will protect the fleet with an array of sophisticated weapons, communications systems and advanced sensors. The class will form the backbone of the RN’s surface presence into the 2060s. Its design is inherently flexible, allowing greater choice in operational tasking through the incorporation of modular systems and incremental upgrades to its systems throughout the life of the class
The T26 frigates will be based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth. The design is now a 32-ship endeavour across three independent national programmes. This includes up to nine Australian Hunter Class Frigates (HCF) and up to 15 Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC), representing a significant long-term opportunity for the UK supply chain and naval interoperability.
The T26 frigate, with cutting-edge technology, will protect the fleet with an array of sophisticated weapons, communications systems and advanced sensors.
How is Type 26 delivered?
BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships was awarded a £3.7 billion contract in June 2017 to build the first three T26 frigates, and a second contract worth £4.2bn was signed in November 2022 for the final five in the programme.
The T26 frigate programme consists of eight ships and will be known as the City class. The ships will be named HMS Glasgow, HMS Cardiff, HMS Belfast, HMS Birmingham, HMS Sheffield, HMS Newcastle, HMS Edinburgh and HMS London. They will be built at BAE Systems’ Govan and Scotstoun shipyards in Glasgow, supporting 1,700 BAE Systems jobs in Scotland and about 2,300 jobs across the wider UK maritime supply chain until 2035. More than 120 UK suppliers have been contracted for the programme.
BAE Systems has committed to invest £1.2bn in UK manufacturing through sub-contracts and more than 120 sub-contracts have been awarded by them as prime contractor.
The first frigate is expected to be operational in 2028 and construction of all ships is scheduled to be completed by end of 2033.
Meet our Ships Domain Team
Become part of the team
The Type 26 project team is responsible for all aspects of the delivery of this multi-billion pound project. Roles include design, engineering, safety, project delivery, ship build oversight, cost control, commercial management, transition to in service and acceptance. The team is based alongside BAE Systems Naval Ships in Glasgow, DE&S in Bristol and Navy Command in Portsmouth.
Patrick Browning, Type 26 Team Leader, said:
“We are all proud to be delivering the Royal Navy’s most cutting-edge Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates. These vessels will form the backbone of the surface fleet for years to come, and will be a great asset to the nation. The team all work incredibly hard, and in close consort with our industry and Navy Command colleagues, towards the goal of delivering these impressive ships.”
