BAE Systems begins construction of Type 26 frigate HMS Birmingham.

According to a PR published by BAE Systems on April 4, 2023, Minister for Defence Procurement Alex Chalk attended the ceremony to officially begin construction on the future HMS Birmingham at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow.
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Steel cutting ceremony of Type 26 frigate HMS Birmingham. (Picture source: BAE Systems)

The steel cut, marking the official start of build on the fourth of eight Type 26 frigates, was carried out by apprentice burner, Ciaran Baillie, accompanied by fabricator - plater Jamie Finnegan.

Work on the first three Type 26 ships is well underway with HMS Glasgow now at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard to have her complex systems installed, HMS Cardiff currently being assembled and HMS Belfast in its early construction phase.

HMS Birmingham is the first ship to be constructed under a £4.2bn contract for the remaining five ships secured in November, which reflects the Ministry of Defence’s confidence in the programme.

Type 26 is one of the world’s most advanced warships. She is designed for anti-submarine warfare and high-intensity air defence, but can adapt its role quickly to transport high volumes of humanitarian aid and house medical facilities.

The class has a displacement of 6,900 tons (8,000+ tons at full load) and a length of 149.9 meters. Her propulsion system consists of a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine, four MTU Type 20V 4000 M53B high-speed diesel generators, and two electric motors, which enable the vessel to reach speeds in excess of 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph). The Type 26 frigate has a range of more than 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km) in electric-motor (EM) drive.

The Type 26 frigate's armament includes two 24-cell VLS for 48 Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles, one 24-cell Mark 41 VLS for various missiles (including Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon), a 5-inch 62-calibre Mk 45 naval gun, two 30 mm DS30M Mk2 guns, two Phalanx CIWS, two Miniguns, and four general purpose machine guns or 0.50 calibre heavy machine guns.

The programme is a UK-wide endeavour, with more than 120 British suppliers securing contracts supporting the frigates, including for steering gears in Dunfermline, gas turbines in Filton and maritime LED lighting in Cumbria.

BAE Systems is investing approximately £15m in a new Applied Shipbuilding Academy in Glasgow to support the development of the entire workforce, from apprentices through to senior leaders.

In addition, construction has begun on a modern shipbuilding hall worth more than £100m, which will greatly enhance productivity on the Clyde to support the delivery of these eight ships and future orders.

The Commonwealths of Australia and Canada have selected the Type 26 design, which, together with the UK, provide an anticipated 32-ship programme across the three nations. Sharing build and transition into service lessons across all three programmes will benefit all parties in this multinational effort.