A video released this week shows the impressive transport of the aft block of HMS Belfast, the third Type 26 City-class frigate of the British Royal Navy, marking a major milestone in the ship’s construction.
The operation was carried out at the newly inaugurated Janet Harvey Hall, inside BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow.
+ Click here to watch the video
This milestone marks the first time a Type 26-class frigate will be fully assembled under cover, allowing for greater efficiency in the production schedule by eliminating interruptions caused by adverse weather conditions. The bow section is expected to be moved to the same location in the coming weeks.
+ Helibras to receive US$185 million investment to produce H145 in Brazil
Once the hull structure is completed, the ship will undergo additional stages of assembly and systems integration. It will then be launched and transferred via the River Clyde to the Scotstoun shipyard, also operated by BAE Systems, where it will undergo final testing before official commissioning.
In an official statement, BAE Systems described the move as a “critical step” in the program, which aims to provide the Royal Navy with the most advanced anti-submarine warfare capability in its history.
The Type 26 program is considered a national-scale strategic project in the UK, involving more than 120 suppliers. Each frigate is expected to serve for at least 25 years, with operation projected into the 2060s.
Main systems of the Type 26:
- Sea Ceptor air defense system
- 127 mm (5-inch) medium-caliber naval gun
- Artisan 997 radar
- Next-generation sonar systems
- Vertical Launch System (VLS) compatible with various missile types
Designed to operate flexibly and with high lethality in submarine environments, Type 26 frigates are also adapted for global naval missions, with capacity for multiple operational profiles. The modular block construction and use of next-generation digital modeling allow for greater assembly precision and risk reduction throughout the process.
In addition to the UK, the Type 26 design has also been selected by Australia and Canada as the basis for their own fleet renewal programs, forming a multinational effort that foresees the construction of 29 ships in total among the three countries.
Source and image: BAE Systems Maritime | UKDefencejournal. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
