UK’s second Type 26 frigate enters water for first time

BAE Systems has reached a new milestone in the construction of the second Type 26 City Class frigate, HMS Cardiff, for the Royal Navy as the ship entered the water for the first time.

On August 30, BAE Systems shared the update explaining that the ship had been transferred from the Govan shipyard slipway to a barge to begin the float-off process.

HMS Cardiff departed the shipyard on the barge to be towed to a deepwater location in the West of Scotland. After the float-off process, the ship is scheduled to return to BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard where it will undergo the next outfit stages before testing and commissioning.

David Shepherd, Type 26 Programme Director, BAE Systems, said: “Seeing the latest ship in the water for the first time will be a proud and exciting moment for the thousands of people involved in this great national endeavour. The Type 26 has awesome and world-leading capability and we’re looking forward to installing HMS Cardiff’s complex systems and bringing her to life.”

Pat Browning, Type 26 Team Leader, Defence Equipment & Support, added: “We are delighted to have reached this key milestone in the build programme for HMS Cardiff. This is a significant achievement for the entire Type 26 programme team and is a moment we can all be proud of, as we continue to work towards delivering the new fleet of the Royal Navy’s most cutting-edge anti-submarine warfare frigates.”

HMS Cardiff is the second of eight Type 26 City Class frigates BAE Systems is building for the Royal Navy. The ship is specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare and high-intensity air defense while boasting the ability to swiftly adapt its role to support humanitarian aid efforts and house medical facilities in times of crisis.

It will also be the last of the frigates to have its hull sections integrated on the hardstand in the open air as the new multi-million-pound shipbuild hall in Govan will enable the teams to complete the structures of the remaining frigates indoors, BAE Systems noted.

First of class, HMS Glasgow is expected to enter service in 2028 and the construction of all eight Type 26 frigates is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s.