Babcock cuts steel for first RN Type 31 frigate
Rendering of the RN’s Inspiration-class Type 31 frigate. (Photo: Babcock)
Babcock has cut steel for the first of the RN’s five Inspiration-class Type 31 frigates, the future HMS Venturer.
UK Defence Secretary and shipbuilding tsar Ben Wallace witnessed the steel cutting at Babcock’s new manufacturing facility in Rosyth, Scotland.
During the event, Babcock also named its new assembly hall ‘The Venturer Building’ in homage to the new class of ships being built at the facility.
Babcock CEO David Lockwood said the steel cutting was a significant moment, adding it showed that the UK’s National Shipbuilding Strategy could achieve.
Lockwood added: ‘The T31 Class will show the adaptability and
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
US turns to allies to tackle navy shipbuilding backlog
A White House memorandum acknowledges US Navy shipbuilding backlogs and a weakened industrial base, opening a formal path for South Korean and Japanese yards to help rebuild capacity.
-
US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation
The US Navy’s planned nuclear-powered warship carries a US$275 billion price tag, but the greater story lies in the industrial overhaul needed to build it, from AI-enabled design to digital twins and modular construction.
-
Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare
Australia’s new defence innovation strategy indicates a shift from platform-centric to network-centric undersea warfare, with Ocius and Anduril Industries pointing to fast-growing opportunities for local industry.
-
Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs
Asian customers have placed one of the largest known international purchases of US-built uncrewed surface vessels, highlighting accelerating regional demand for autonomous maritime capabilities and distributed naval operations.