HMS Cardiff, the second of eight Type 26 frigates being built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy, has been launched into the water for the first time.
The anti-submarine warfare frigate was moved from BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow to a barge to begin the float-off process. It was then towed down river to a deep-water location on Loch Long, where, over a number of hours, the barge was submerged, and HMS Cardiff entered the water.
Engineers from Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and the Royal Navy supported the float-off process, which is a modern, efficient, and low-risk way for the City Class ship to enter the water.
HMS Cardiff has now arrived at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard where the vessel will undergo the next stages of outfitting before testing and commissioning.
The Type 26 frigates will replace the bulk of the retiring Type 23 fleet and will serve as the backbone of the Royal Navy’s surface presence and will be the most advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) warships of their time. They have been designed for the critical protection of the Continuous At-Sea Deterrent and Carrier Strike Group.
The same float-off procedure was previously implemented for the inaugural vessel, HMS Glasgow, in November 2022. Among the other Type 26 ships currently under construction, HMS Glasgow is undergoing outfitting at Scotstoun, while HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham are being assembled at Govan.
HMS Cardiff will be the final Type 26 vessel to be built outdoors, as the newly established multi-million-pound Janet Harvey Hall in Govan will facilitate the completion of the remaining frigates’ structures indoors. At Scotstoun, the ship’s outfitting will be finalized, and the intricate systems will be installed prior to testing and commissioning.
The entire program encompasses eight ships and is projected to sustain 1,700 jobs at BAE Systems in Scotland, along with approximately 2,300 jobs throughout the broader UK maritime supply chain until 2035. As the lead ship in its class, HMS Glasgow is anticipated to commence service in 2028.
David Shepherd, Type 26 Programme Director, BAE Systems, said: “HMS Cardiff entering the water for the first time is a significant milestone for everyone involved in her delivery across our programme. It is an incredibly complex operation, involving months of planning and hundreds of skilled and dedicated people. I’m proud of them all.”
“We now we look forward to the next phase of her build, outfitting and installing the complex systems that will bring her to life.”
Pat Browning, DE&S T26 Team Leader, said: “We are delighted to have reached this key milestone in the build programme for HMS Cardiff. This is a significant achievement for the entire Type 26 programme team, and is a moment we can all be proud of, as we continue to work towards delivering the new fleet of the Royal Navy’s most cutting-edge Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates.”
