Uk Navy Takes A Major Leap Forward With Launch Of Second Type 31 Warship

The Royal Navy’s (RN) Type 31 Inspiration-class programme has taken another major step forward with the roll-out of ship two, HMS Active, at Babcock’s Rosyth facility in Scotland. This marks a crucial phase in the delivery of the five ships designed to support the RN’s operational requirements and replace the in-service Type 23 frigates.

The rollout of HMS Active is part of the process of preparing it for launch, which is expected to take place in the near future. The ship’s keel was laid in December, and build work is currently underway. Following the successful completion of the steel cutting milestone, materials for ship four, Bulldog, will begin entering the build hall.

Babcock Marine’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sir Nick Hine, described the rollout of HMS Active as a significant milestone in the life of the programme, demonstrating the company’s ability to deliver on its commitments. “We only signed a contract at the back end of 2019, and here we are cutting steel on ship four,” Hine stated. “We’ve cut steel on four platforms in four years.”

Hine emphasized that Babcock Marine remains committed to delivering all five ships within a 10-year window, as originally promised. The company has consistently demonstrated its ability to manage complex programmes and deliver results.

The Type 31s are designed to be general-purpose frigates, capable of deploying across the globe in support of various tasks, including surface-to-surface missile and air-defence capability, interception and intelligence-gathering tasks, maritime security, counter-smuggling, and disaster relief support capacity. These ships will play a crucial role in replacing the RN’s existing Type 23 frigates and supporting the navy’s operational requirements.

The Arrowhead 140 design, on which the Type 31 is based, has also been selected for international programmes, including Indonesia’s and Poland’s respective future frigate programmes. The RN’s eight Type 26 City-class anti-submarine warfare frigates will complement the five Type 31 ships in providing a modernized fleet capable of addressing emerging threats.

Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, the RN’s Fleet Commander, highlighted the significance of the Type 31 programme, stating that these ships represent a major step forward in modernizing the RN’s fleet. “These are capable and adaptable ships, designed to give the RN the flexibility it needs in a fast-changing strategic environment,” Moorhouse said.

David Lockwood, Babcock International Group’s CEO, emphasized the importance of modular construction approaches, increased compartment and system outfitting, and reduced integration time through these measures. The company has successfully learned from each ship’s build process, feeding back lessons to enhance build planning and delivery.

The Type 31s will arrive at a critical juncture in the RN’s evolution towards a “hybrid navy,” integrating crewed and uncrewed platforms to provide greater mass, lethality, and flexibility. The UK’s latest strategic defence review (SDR) has heralded this shift, emphasizing the need for adaptability and responsiveness.

The Type 31 provides the general-purpose capability required by the RN in a hybrid environment. Babcock Marine’s ARMOR FORCE concept is central to its approach, utilizing the ships as command platforms deploying and operating uncrewed vessels, including from embarked, modular containers. This flexibility will enable the RN to deliver capability in different ways, responding to accelerating geopolitical and technological change.

The modularity of the Type 31 design ensures that it can be adapted to meet emerging requirements, making it an attractive option for future RN surface force requirements beyond the Inspiration-class frigates. The RN’s Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, which combines maritime integrated air and missile defence and strike capability with a host platform, may also benefit from the Type 31 design.

The UK’s decision to invest in the Type 31 Programme has sent a clear message about its commitment to modernizing its fleet and addressing emerging threats. As the programme continues to unfold, it will be essential to monitor progress, assess performance, and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that the RN achieves its desired outcomes.

With the rollout of HMS Active complete, the focus shifts to ship four, Bulldog, which is expected to enter the build hall soon. The successful completion of this phase will mark another significant milestone in the Type 31 Programme, underscoring Babcock Marine’s ability to deliver on its commitments and support the RN’s operational requirements.

The success of the Type 31 Programme has far-reaching implications for the UK’s naval capabilities, emphasizing the need for adaptability, flexibility, and responsiveness. As the RN continues to evolve towards a hybrid navy, the Type 31 ships will play a pivotal role in supporting its objectives, providing a general-purpose capability that is capable of addressing a wide range of tasks.

In the world of modern naval warfare, the importance of adaptable and responsive forces cannot be overstated. The UK’s decision to invest in the Type 31 Programme has sent a clear message about its commitment to maintaining a strong and effective navy, one that is capable of addressing emerging threats and supporting its national objectives.