Type 26 frigate
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| Name | Type 26 frigate |
| Builders | BAE Systems |
| Operators | Royal Navy |
| Type | Frigate |
| Displacement | 6,900 tonnes |
| Length | 149.9 m |
| Beam | 20.8 m |
| Draught | 7.0 m |
| Propulsion | Rolls-Royce Marine MTU diesel engines, General Electric gas turbine |
| Speed | In excess of 26 knots |
| Range | 7,000 nautical miles |
| Complement | 157 (accommodation for 208) |
| Sensors | BAE Systems Artisan 997, Thales Sonar 2087, Ultra Electronics sonar |
| Armament | See Armament and systems |
| Aircraft | Accommodation for Wildcat or Merlin helicopters |
| Aviation facilities | Large flight deck, enclosed hangar |
Type 26 frigate. The Type 26 frigate, also known as the City-class, is a class of advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates under construction for the Royal Navy. Designed to replace the aging Type 23 frigates, these vessels are intended for high-intensity global operations, combining formidable weaponry with exceptional versatility. The program represents a cornerstone of the United Kingdom's future naval capability and has also spawned several export variants for allied nations.
Design and development
The genesis of the Type 26 program lies in the Future Surface Combatant studies initiated in the late 1990s, which sought a successor to the venerable Type 23 frigate. Formal design work, led by BAE Systems at its facilities in Glasgow, began in earnest following the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010. The design prioritizes low acoustic signature for anti-submarine warfare, substantial magazine capacity for land attack missions, and flexible mission bays to support unmanned vehicles or humanitarian stores. Key partners in the development include Rolls-Royce Marine for propulsion, Thales Group for sonar systems, and MBDA for integrating the Sea Ceptor missile system. The class was officially named the City-class in 2018, with vessels honoring cities such as Glasgow, Cardiff, and Belfast.
Construction and service history
The manufacturing contract was awarded to BAE Systems in 2017, with steel-cutting for the first of class, HMS Glasgow, commencing at the Govan shipyard in 2017. The second vessel, HMS Cardiff, began construction in 2019, followed by HMS Belfast in 2021. The construction program is a major employer in Scotland, utilizing both the Govan and Scotstoun facilities. HMS Glasgow is scheduled to be launched in 2023, with entry into service with the Royal Navy projected for the late 2020s. The entire class of eight frigates is expected to be delivered by the mid-2030s, forming the backbone of the Royal Navy's escort fleet alongside the Type 31 frigate and Type 45 destroyer.
Specifications
The Type 26 is a large, capable warship with a length of 149.9 meters, a beam of 20.8 meters, and a full load displacement of approximately 6,900 tonnes. Propulsion is provided by a CODLOG (Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas) arrangement, integrating Rolls-Royce Marine MTU diesel generators for quiet electric cruising and a General Electric gas turbine for high-speed sprints. This configuration enables a range in excess of 7,000 nautical miles and a top speed of more than 26 knots. The ship's company consists of 157 personnel, with accommodation for up to 208 to accommodate Royal Marines or specialists. The design incorporates a large mission bay beneath the flight deck and significant space for containerized payloads.
Armament and systems
The primary anti-air warfare system is the Sea Ceptor missile, launched from 24 silos in the forward Mark 41 Vertical Launching System. For anti-surface and land-attack roles, the ships will be equipped with the Naval Strike Missile and have provision for future cruise missiles like the FC/ASW. The main gun is a Bofors 57 mm Mk 110 naval gun. For anti-submarine warfare, the vessels carry a bow-mounted sonar and the towed-array Sonar 2087 from Thales Group, and can deploy Sting Ray torpedos launched from the ship's helicopters. The principal sensor is the BAE Systems Artisan 997 medium-range radar, integrated with a Combat Management System derived from the Type 45 destroyer.
Export variants and sales
The design has proven successful on the export market, with several allied nations selecting variants. Australia selected the Hunter-class frigate, a modified Type 26 design, for its SEA 5000 program, with BAE Systems partnering with ASC Pty Ltd for construction in Adelaide. Similarly, Canada selected the Canadian Surface Combatant project, which is based on the Type 26 design, to be built by Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax. These export successes, involving significant technology transfer and local industrial participation, have solidified the Type 26's reputation as a world-class frigate design and provided a substantial economic return to the United Kingdom.
Category:Frigate classes Category:Ships of the Royal Navy Category:BAE Systems