Formidable Progress On New Royal Navy Frigate

Shipbuilder Babcock International has announced another milestone reached in its ongoing Type 31 frigate construction programme for the Royal Navy.

At the firm’s Rosyth assembly hall the first section of the keel of HMS Formidable, the third vessel in the five-boat programme, has just been lifted and turned. This means work can now begin on the construction of the heart of the new vessel: its engine rooms. The first steel was cut on the boat back in October last year.

The future HMS Formidable will eventually become the third of five Type 31 or Inspiration-class frigates the firm is building for the Royal Navy in Scotland. Their Arrowhead AH140 design represents an evolution of the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates in service with the Royal Danish Navy.

The first Type 31, also referred to as a General Purpose Frigate, HMS Venturer, is nearing completion, and the steel-cutting ceremony for the second ship, HMS Active, took place in January 2023. Assuming construction stays on schedule HMS Venturer is expected to be launched this spring and commissioned in late 2026 or early 2027.

The vessels are designed to be able to carry out a variety of missions including anti-air warfare, anti–submarine warfare and mine countermeasures (MCM) and amphibious warfare.

Back when the first steel was cut, Babcock’s CEO David Lockwood commented: “These frigates will play a significant role in protecting the U.K. and supporting international partnered defence operations.

“This programme is a real demonstration of U.K. sovereign shipbuilding capability and is delivering positive economic impact within Scotland and in communities across the U.K. It is a privilege for our teams across Babcock to be delivering these platforms for the nation.”

As stated on one of the firm’s recent social media posts: “HMS Formidable has now entered the continuous manufacturing phase, with three of the five Type 31 ships in build. A formidable feat!”

• You can read more about the HMS Formidable on the Babcock International website