UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition
The first two Type 31s have floated off, while the keel has been laid for ship three and the build of ship four has formally commenced. (Photo: Crown Copyright)
The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.
The UK’s Type 31 Inspiration-class is a general-purpose frigate being procured by the UK Royal Navy (RN) to replace its Type 23 Duke-class frigates. Expected to undertake a variety of roles, from interception and disruption of illegal activity at sea to intelligence gathering and defence engagement, the ships are being built by Babcock at its Rosyth facility in Scotland.
The UK company secured a contract in 2019 to deliver five Type 31s, after the requirement was identified in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review. Along with the five type 31s, the RN’s 13 ageing Duke-class vessels
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 Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies]()
US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies
The US Navy is increasing the use of OTA obligations to accelerate the procurement of seabed-subsea, littoral, expeditionary and uncrewed solutions.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Red Cat eyes South American market for USV-led EEZ surveillance]()
Eurosatory 2026: Red Cat eyes South American market for USV-led EEZ surveillance
Success with the US Army’s Black Widow programme may have strengthened Red Cat’s international position, but executives believe the next growth opportunity lies in uncrewed surface vessels.
-
![The FDI frigate: a growing success story with more opportunities to come]()
The FDI frigate: a growing success story with more opportunities to come
Designed as a multi-role frigate with both anti-submarine and air defence capabilities, Naval Group’s medium-sized FDI frigate increasingly stands out as a success story in an industry wrought with delays.
