Type 26 construction to begin in 2017

Construction of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Global Combat Ships will begin with first steel cut in summer 2017, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on 4 November.

Work will commence subject to final contract negotiations.

The government laid out plans in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) to build eight Type 26 vessels. The multi-mission vessels will be designed to support anti-submarine warfare, air defence and general purpose operations.

The news came at the same time as the announcement of a £100 million contract for MBDA to deliver the Sea Ceptor self-defence missile system for the vessels.  

BAE Systems is already working with 27 companies on the Type 26 programme, with manufacturing of the ships’ air weapons handling systems, gas turbines, and electric propulsion motor and drive systems underway across the UK. BAE Systems is also under contract to manufacture the Maritime Indirect Fire System, including its 5-inch 62 cailbre Mk 45 gun, for the first three Type 26 ships.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: ‘Backed by Britain’s rising defence budget, the Type 26 programme will deliver a new generation of cutting-edge warships for our Royal Navy at best value for taxpayers.

‘The UK government’s commitment today will secure hundreds of high-skilled shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde for at least two decades and hundreds more in the supply chain across Britain.’

Fallon also announced that the MoD plans to sign a contract shortly to start building two additional Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), both of which will be delivered in 2019.