Construction of Type 26 Frigates for Norway Commences Before UK Order Completion
Shipyards located in Glasgow have initiated the construction of several Type 26 frigates for Norway prior to completing the assembly of an eight-ship order of the same class for the Royal Navy.
Currently, five of these advanced anti-submarine vessels are at various stages of production at BAE Systems’ facilities on the River Clyde, while work on three additional ships has yet to commence.
Last summer, it was announced that Norway had placed a £10 billion order for a minimum of five Type 26 frigates, marking the largest warship export contract in UK history.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard stated that some construction slots "have been ceded as part of the Norwegian deal" but reassured that the Royal Navy would still receive its full complement of eight ships.
In a written response to the House of Commons, Pollard indicated that additional orders would be placed to ensure the total number of Royal Navy Type 26 frigates reaches eight, as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Pollard had previously noted that commencing the Norwegian ships before completing the UK order would not impact the UK's defence capabilities, according to the UK Defence Journal, which initially reported the story.
One week prior, he informed Members of Parliament that the Royal Navy and Norwegian vessels would operate as a "truly interoperable, interchangeable force."
"The only difference between a Royal Navy Type 26 and a Norwegian Type 26 will be the language on the signs.
That interchangeability is at the heart of the new defence agreement that we have signed with Norway."
Progress on Type 26 Frigates at Clyde Shipyards
The first ship of this new class entered the Clyde at Govan in late 2022 and is currently undergoing fitting at BAE's Scotstoun yard on the opposite bank of the river. It is scheduled to enter service within two years.
The second Type 26 frigate, HMS Cardiff, is also at the Scotstoun yard, while HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham are being constructed inside the new large assembly hall at Govan.
Steel cutting for the fifth ship, HMS Sheffield, began in late 2024.
Capabilities and Future of the Type 26 Frigates
The Type 26 frigates, also known as City Class frigates, are large, highly specialised anti-submarine vessels designed to protect the United Kingdom's carrier groups.
These ships are equipped with advanced sonar and radar systems, as well as submarine-hunting helicopters.
The combined orders from the Royal Navy and Norway are expected to sustain naval shipbuilding activities on the Clyde well into the 2030s.
The two Glasgow shipyards currently employ more than 3,000 workers.
