Active Progress: Babcock Gives Update On Type 31 Frigate

Babcock International, the firm building the Royal Navy’s new general-purpose Type 31 frigates, has given an update on the progress of its construction programme.

An image posted on the company’s social media channels showed the final unit of HMS Active, the second Type 31 vessel being built in Rosyth, being lifted into position at the aft end of the ship.

The firm noted: “This lift completes the flight deck and clears the way for the next major milestone of drop stern. We’re continuing to make great progress.”

Read our in-depth feature “Frigates of the Future” with insights from Commander Chris Cozens, Senior Naval Officer of HMS Venturer
Frigates Of The Future

Meanwhile Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle confirmed in Parliament this week that the lead ship in the Type 31 class, HMS Venturer, was nearing launch.

The defence minister was answering a written question posed by Tory MP for South Suffolk James Cartlidge about progress on the Type 31 programme.

As per Hansard, she responded: “The Type 31 programme has made significant progress, with the first frigate, HMS Venturer, nearing structural completion and expecting to be launched into the water for first time later this year.

“HMS Active, the second in Class, is also progressing well, as has work on the third frigate, HMS Formidable, with steel-cutting taking place in October 2024.”

Navy Leaders is given to understand the roll-out of HMS Venturer could take place within the next two months.

Recently Babcock also won a separate £65 million Capability Insertion Period (CIP) contract to install additional upgrades not included in the original deal to the five new Type 31 ships.

Type 31 Project Manager at the U.K. MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Steven Perry commented: “We are pleased to have awarded Babcock the CIP contract for the Type 31 fleet.

“This contract will deliver capability upgrades that go beyond the vessel build specification, delivering Type 31 frigates to the Royal Navy that will ensure the U.K. remains at the forefront of global security.”

• You can read the tabled Parliamentary question here and read more about the CIP contract on the Babcock International website