Steel Cut Marks Start for Second Batch of £4.2bn Type 26 Warships
Steel has officially been cut for HMS Birmingham, kicking off the build of the second batch of Type 26 frigates under a massive £4.2 billion contract awarded to BAE Systems last November.
HMS Birmingham Leads Second Batch Build
- Steel cutting signals the start of building the second batch of eight Type 26 frigates.
- BAE Systems secured the £4.2 billion contract in November 2022.
- Project supports 1,700 jobs in Scotland and 2,300 across the UK supply chain.
The Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk KC celebrated the milestone at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Govan, Glasgow. HMS Birmingham is now the fourth of the eight cutting-edge anti-submarine warships destined for the Royal Navy.
Boost for UK Shipbuilding and Economy
The National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh sets high ambitions, and this steel cutting is a major step forward for the Type 26 programme, the Royal Navy, and UK defence. With all frigates being built in Govan, the project sustains thousands of jobs across Scotland and the wider UK, helping deliver on the Prime Minister’s pledge to grow the economy and create higher-paid jobs nationwide.
Alex Chalk KC, Minister for Defence Procurement said: “This is yet another significant milestone for the Type 26 programme, supporting thousands of jobs in Scotland and across the wider UK supply chain. Working closely with our industry partners, we are bringing in a cutting-edge class of warships for the Royal Navy, bolstering our maritime capabilities into the coming decades.”
The Future of UK Naval Defence
The Type 26 frigates will replace the ageing Type 23 fleet, specialising in anti-submarine warfare to protect the UK’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrent and Maritime Strike Group. HMS Birmingham follows HMS Glasgow, HMS Cardiff, and HMS Belfast in construction.
Each frigate is nearly 150 metres long — about the length of three Olympic-size pools — capable of speeds over 26 knots and ranges beyond 7,000 nautical miles. These warships will be versatile, able to tackle piracy, deliver humanitarian aid, and provide disaster relief.
Armed with the advanced Sea Ceptor missile defence system, a five-inch gun, helicopter facilities, Artisan 997 radar, and sonar for tracking threats, the Type 26s are a formidable force at sea.
Vice Admiral Paul Marshall, DE&S Director General Ships said: “The steel cut for HMS Birmingham is a significant moment for everyone who has worked, and is working, on the Type 26 programme. I look forward to seeing the second batch of frigates taking shape.”
City Pride and Future Growth
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Maureen Cornish JP, honoured the occasion, noting the strong ties between the city and the Royal Navy:
“I am delighted to have attended today’s steel cutting ceremony, which will see work begin on building a new HMS Birmingham, further strengthening the city’s ties with the Royal Navy. It will be fantastic to see this new Type 26 frigate serve current and future crews well as part of the new fleet built in Govan.”
BAE Systems is investing further with a new 175-metre-long, 85-metre-wide shipbuilding hall planned at Govan. This will allow two frigates to be built simultaneously under cover, reducing costs and speeding up delivery of the final five ships.
Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems Naval Ships said: “This is another proud moment for our talented teams across the UK who have contributed to designing and building these vital vessels. HMS Birmingham benefits from investments transforming our infrastructure and skills centre of excellence. I thank our customers and suppliers as we deliver the next generation City Class frigates.”
International Reach and Longevity
The Type 26 design has also secured major overseas orders, with nine Australian Hunter Class frigates and 15 Canadian Surface Combatants underway. This opens up future collaboration on supply chain efficiencies and operational interoperability.
All City Class frigates are expected to be complete by the mid-2030s. HMS Glasgow, the first ship, will enter service by the end of 2028. Built for at least 25 years’ service, these warships will form a key part of the Royal Navy well into the 2060s.
