Babcock: UK’s first two Type 31 frigates nearing float-off, HMS Venturer and HMS Active to debut in 2026

February 7, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

British aerospace, defense, and nuclear engineering services company Babcock International is making strides in the construction of the first two ships in the Type 31 Inspiration-class frigate program for the Royal Navy.

As informed, the anticipated float-offs of the first two ships are set to take place in the upcoming fiscal year 2026, marking a milestone in the Royal Navy’s modernization. The information was revealed as part of the company’s update on trading for the nine months of the financial year ending March 31, 2025, and the upgrade of full-year expectations.

“We are progressing the build of the first three ships in the Type 31 Inspiration Class frigate programme. We expect the float-off of the first ship, HMS Venturer, to be in the first half of FY26 and float-off of the second ship, HMS Active, in the second half of FY26,” Babcock stated.

Babcock received a contract to build five Type 31 frigates in November 2019. The frigates, based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, have been engineered to meet the challenges of the future maritime environment.

They will have a length of 138.7 meters, with a displacement of 5,700 tonnes. It is intended to fit the Inspiration-class ships with the MK41 vertical launch system (VLS), according to the Royal Navy. This VSL can launch a wide range of missiles, including the Standard Missile SM-2, SM-3 and SM-6 variants, Tomahawk cruise missiles, SeaSparrow, Evolved SeaSparrow and vertical launch anti-submarine rocket (VLA).

The vessels will undertake missions such as interception and disruption of those using the sea for unlawful purposes, intelligence gathering, defense engagement, and providing humanitarian support.

Timeline of Type 31 construction milestones: