HMS Glasgow, the inaugural Type 26 frigate constructed by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy, was formally named by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales during a ceremony at the Glasgow shipyard where it was built. The event, attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales, featured Her Royal Highness smashing a bottle of whisky against the ship’s hull to bestow good luck. In her declaration, she stated, “I name this ship Glasgow. May God bless her and all who serve in her.”
The Type 26 frigate program embodies a significant £7.9 billion investment in British shipbuilding, critically supporting 2,000 jobs in Scotland and a further 4,000 positions across the UK supply chain until 2035. This investment aligns with the Government’s Plan for Change, emphasizing defense as a key driver for economic growth, particularly in Scotland. Defense Secretary John Healey described HMS Glasgow as a representation of premier British engineering, highlighting its role as a formidable defender of national security and a vital asset for NATO in today’s precarious global landscape.
HMS Glasgow features advanced weapon systems, sophisticated sensors, and state-of-the-art communications technology, reinforcing the Royal Navy’s capability to safeguard the UK and uphold its interests abroad. The program supports approximately 1,700 skilled jobs at BAE Systems’ Govan and Scotstoun shipyards, with the involvement of over 120 UK suppliers—BAE Systems has committed to investing £1.2 billion in UK manufacturing through subcontracting.
The design of HMS Glasgow allows for future technological upgrades, ensuring the vessel remains at the cutting edge of naval warfare for decades. Notably, the Type 26 design has received international recognition, with both Australia and Canada selecting it for their own frigate programs, turning the initiative into a global project involving 29 ships across three nations. This collaboration not only enhances naval interoperability but also presents significant long-term opportunities for the UK supply chain.
Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell, Acting First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, remarked on the rich history of HMS Glasgow, stating that it continues the legacy of its predecessors since the 17th century. The ship symbolizes the evolution of naval capabilities, offering a substantial enhancement in anti-submarine warfare, which is crucial given the increasing sophistication of underwater threats.
Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, described the naming of HMS Glasgow as a historic milestone in the Type 26 program. He expressed pride in the collective effort contributing to the ship’s development, underlining its future role in protecting the UK. HMS Glasgow is anticipated to enter service by 2028, with all eight City class frigates expected to be completed by the mid-2030s, serving as the backbone of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth.
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