Babcock has reached a milestone on the Type 31 programme, to deliver five Inspiration Class frigates for the Royal Navy, as it cut steel marking the official start of HMS Active’s build programme at Rosyth, the company writes in a press release.

16 months after steel was cut on the first ship, HMS Venturer, Babcock welcomed senior guests from the UK Government and Royal Navy, alongside international industry to witness the traditional shipbuilding ceremony. Joining the ceremony were veterans from the former Royal Navy Type 21 frigate and namesake HMS Active. A key component of the UK’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Type 31 programme is expected to support a direct UK workforce of around 1,250 people including 150 apprenticeships and a further 1,250 people in the supply chain at the height of the programme.

JH