On 9 October 2024 Babcock cut steel on the future HMS Formidable: the third of five Inspiration-class (Type 31) frigates the company’s shipyard in Rosyth, Scotland, is building for the UK Royal Navy.
The steel-cutting ceremony, which marks the official start of the ship’s build programme, comes just 20 months after the steel cut ceremony for the second ship, Active.
“This highlights the rapid progress being made on the Type 31 programme and the important sovereign defence capability being delivered at our world-class facility,” Babcock stated in a press release.
The first Type 31 frigate, Venturer, is nearing structural completion, with the final unit now added to the vessel within the Rosyth assembly hall alongside Active.
“Today, we are proud to mark yet another milestone in this important defence programme for the Royal Navy. These frigates will play a significant role in protecting the UK and supporting international partnered defence operations,” Babcock CEO David Lockwood was quoted as saying in a company press release.
“This programme is a real demonstration of UK sovereign shipbuilding capability and is delivering positive economic impact within Scotland and in communities across the UK. It is a privilege for our teams across Babcock to be delivering these platforms for the nation,” he added.
Babcock says it creating 1,000 new roles at Rosyth over the next four years, including 400 apprenticeships, 350 production support operatives, skilled engineers, tradespeople and graduates. The majority of these new roles, including over 100 new apprentices and graduates who joined the company this year, will support the Type 31 programme over the lifetime of the project.
UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard added, “A key element of the Type 31 programme is the potential to work with the UK government to secure a range of export opportunities, further supporting the UK economy and jobs. Arrowhead 140, the base design of the Type 31, has already been successfully exported to the Indonesian and Polish governments, with both programmes already in build in the respective countries.”
