HMS Glasgow taking shape
The Royal Navy’s first Type 26 frigate, the future HMS Glasgow, is taking shape at BAE Systems’ yard in Govan, Scotland.
Work on the £1.2 billion warship has been underway since mid-July 2017. The navy intends to acquire eight City-class vessels to replace its anti-submarine warfare Duke-class Type 23 frigates from the middle of the next decade.
At the Govan shipyard the vessel is being constructed in two sections - first the forward part of the frigate, followed by the stern. The two parts will be joined on the slipway outside the shed and the main mast and bridge section will be lifted into place. Following this, the frigate will undergo outfitting at BAE’s yard on the north bank of the Clyde at Scotstoun, Glasgow. Upon completion, the vessel will consist of 60 blocks.
BAE Systems is on order to build three vessels: Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. The remaining five vessels in the class have been named as Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Edinburgh and London.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US and UK to begin Trident II D5 Increment 8 in October 2026]()
US and UK to begin Trident II D5 Increment 8 in October 2026
Trident II D5 Increment 8 will involve improvements to the shipboard navigation subsystem for the US Ohio and Columbia and the UK Dreadnought and Vanguard submarine classes.
-
![What capabilities has the US deployed in the Caribbean and South America to engage “drug boats”?]()
What capabilities has the US deployed in the Caribbean and South America to engage “drug boats”?
The US arsenal includes amphibious assault and littoral combat ships, cutters, destroyers, landing platform docks, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, drones, ISR aircraft, helicopters and fighters.
-
![HMS Agamemnon: details of the dive and what the Astute-class signifies for the UK Royal Navy]()
HMS Agamemnon: details of the dive and what the Astute-class signifies for the UK Royal Navy
As HMS Agamemnon moves closer towards joining the UK’s in-service submarine fleet, how does the sixth Astute-class fit into the Royal Navy’s defence strategy?
-
![French Navy frigates to align with Hellenic Navy after Aster missile enhancement]()
French Navy frigates to align with Hellenic Navy after Aster missile enhancement
The FDI frigates will have an enhanced warfare capability that matches the configuration of ships ordered by Greece.
-
![Khabarovsk submarine launch reflects Russia’s nuclear modernisation progress]()
Khabarovsk submarine launch reflects Russia’s nuclear modernisation progress
The nuclear-powered vessel, which could carry the Poseidon autonomous torpedo – dubbed the “doomsday missile” – marks another step forward in Russia’s maritime defence push.
