Steel cut in ‘milestone’ moment for Royal Navy warship programme

The accumulation of the Royal Navy’s aboriginal hi-tech frigates has reached a “significant milestone” arsenic alloy was chopped connected the 3rd vessel.

All 5 of the Type 31 warships volition beryllium built successful Rosyth successful Fife, wherever a alloy cutting ceremonial for HMS Formidable took spot connected Wednesday.

The UK Government said the programme volition prolong much than 2,500 jobs successful Scotland and crossed the wider proviso concatenation and make an further 400 apprenticeship roles.

It said the 5 frigates volition enactment aboriginal maritime operations, including interception and disruption of those utilizing the oversea for unlawful purposes, quality gathering, defence engagement and humanitarian support.

They volition besides beryllium capable to sprout down missiles and force aerial targets utilizing a Sea Ceptor rocket system.

Armed forces curate Luke Pollard, who attended the ceremony, said: “This Government is committed to making Britain unafraid astatine location and beardown abroad.

“These frigates volition beryllium astatine the bosom of the Royal Navy fleet, deterring aggression and supporting our military.

“Today’s important milestone is backing the Government’s ngo to turn the system by supporting thousands of jobs successful Scotland and crossed the UK.”

The ships volition person a apical velocity of much than 26 knots – equivalent to astir 50kmph – and accommodate astir 100 personnel.

They volition regenerate the 5 Type 23 wide intent frigates which person carried retired a wide assortment of operations, including securing the UK’s maritime commercialized routes eastbound of the Suez Canal and safeguarding British interests successful the South Atlantic.

Commodore Stephen Roberts, the Royal Navy’s elder liable proprietor for the Type 31 programme, said: “This is simply a momentous juncture for each progressive and we are arrogant to person marked this important milestone successful this way.

“When complete, this singular fleet of general-purpose frigates volition present an awesome capableness for the Royal Navy and play a immense relation successful the continued information and prosperity of our nation.”

The vessels are expected to bolster the Royal Navy fleet by 2030.

The UK Government said the Babcock-built Type 31 fleet volition beryllium highly adaptable and susceptible of accelerated deployment, equipped with precocious radar, connection systems, and a assortment of armaments.

Babcock’s main enforcement David Lockwood said: “Today we are arrogant to people yet different milestone successful this important defence programme for the Royal Navy.

“These frigates volition play a important relation successful protecting the UK and supporting planetary partnered defence operations.”

The Type 31 task is managed by Defence, Equipment & Support – the procurement limb of the Ministry of Defence.