The Type 26 Global Combat Ship, also known as ‘City-Class Frigates’, is a new class of warfare vessel being constructed for the UK’s Royal Navy, with variants also being built on order from the Australian and Canadian navies.

The build programme, launched by the MoD, is designed to partially replace the navy’s existing fleet of Type 23 frigates, as well as exporting to our allies. The primary function of the new vessels is to carry out advanced anti-submarine warfare missions while also supporting air defences and general purpose operations. Globally deployable, the flexible mission bay, aviation facilities and combat systems ensure it will ultimately be capable of undertaking a wide range of roles. 

All variants of the vessel will share a common, acoustically quiet hull and will take full advantage of modular design and open systems architecture to facilitate through-life support and upgrades as new technology develops. This will ensure the Global Combat Ship remains relevant to future maritime demands and delivers an adaptable design with the ability to accommodate sub-systems to meet individual country needs.

The contract for the construction of the Type 26 vessels was awarded to BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships, with the first vessel expected to achieve operational capability in 2028. All of the frigates will be constructed in BAE Systems’ Govan and Scotstoun yards on the River Clyde and Glasgow, which is SCA’s operational base for the North of the UK. SCA’s Scotland division is contracted as sole scaffolding supplier to BAE Systems to provide all of the access and containment throughout the construction phase of all the Type 26 vessels. Using all locally employed labour, we have a dedicated management team on site and look forward to a long and successful relationship with BAE delivering the most technologically advanced vessels in the Royal Navy fleet.