Babcock makes rapid progress from bow to flight deck readiness on Royal Navy's HMS Venturer frigate.

According to a tweet published by the UK MoD on September 4, 2023, two weeks following the completion of HMS Venturer's bulbous bow at Rosyth, which improves ship performance, the Type 31's flight deck is almost finished.
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Future Type 31 frigate HMS Venturer. (Picture source: Royal Navy)

On September 23, 2021, Babcock began the construction of the HMS VENTURER, the first of five Type 31 frigates, at the Rosyth facility in Scotland, in association with UK's Defence Secretary, Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP.

These frigates are intended to be a part of the Royal Navy’s fleet to support UK's security and global naval operations. The keel laying for the ship occurred on April 26, 2022, marked by placing a coin under the keel, in line with the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Technical data

The Type 31 frigate HMS Venturer boasts a displacement of around 5,700 tons, indicating her fully equipped weight. Stretching approximately 138.7 meters (455 feet 1 inch) in length, the ship provides ample space for various onboard facilities and equipment.

Powered by four Rolls Royce/MTU diesel engines, each generating 8.2 MW (11,000 hp), the HMS Venturer employs a MAN Alpha VBS Mk 5 CP propeller system in a CODAD configuration with two shafts.

This configuration enables her to reach speeds exceeding 28 knots and traverse long distances, with an impressive endurance of 9,000 nautical miles (about 17,000 kilometers or 10,000 miles).

The vessel accommodates a crew of 80 to 100 individuals, with the ability to house up to 160 crew members. Advanced sensor and processing systems are integrated, including the Thales TACTICOS combat management system, Thales NS110 3D radar, Raytheon Warship Integrated Navigation and Bridge System, Terma Scanter, and Raytheon NSX navigation radars. The addition of 2 Mirador Mk2 Electro-Optical Systems and Viasat Ultrahigh-frequency satellite communications further enhances her capabilities.

Electronic warfare is bolstered by the Vigile-D Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system, enhancing the ship's ability to detect and respond to electronic threats.

Her armament includes a Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) capable of deploying various missiles, such as Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapons and Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles.

Gun systems comprise a Bofors 57 mm Mk 110 main gun, supplemented by two Bofors 40 mm Mk 4 secondary guns, and four 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Guns.

The HMS Venturer can operate a single Wildcat or Merlin helicopter, thanks to its helicopter hangar and flight deck, enhancing anti-submarine and surveillance capabilities.

The ship features a mission bay beneath the flight deck that can accommodate six Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) for versatile usage. Three boat bays house Rapid Response Craft (RIBs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles/Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (USVs/UUVs), adding further flexibility to its capabilities.