Two production milestones advance UK Type 31 frigate fleet (PHOTOS)

February 25, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

A dual milestone in the Royal Navy’s next-generation frigate program has underscored the accelerating pace of naval shipbuilding, as defense company Babcock marked the official start of construction for HMS Bulldog while rolling out HMS Active at its shipyard in Rosyth.

The steel cutting ceremony for HMS Bulldog formally launched production of the fourth ship in the Royal Navy’s Type 31 Inspiration class program. On the same day, HMS Active, the second frigate in the class, emerged from the assembly hall ahead of entering the water for the first time.

The paired events reflect the growing maturity of the program’s modular construction approach and sustained production momentum across the five-ship fleet, according to Babcock.

Government and industry representatives attending the ceremony observed the manufacturing infrastructure and processes supporting the build, including fabrication and integration methods designed to improve efficiency and reduce delivery timelines.

Program officials said experience gained from the first vessels is now being applied to later ships, improving sequencing, outfitting, and supply chain coordination.

Babcock stated that a greater portion of compartment and system installation is now completed earlier in production, allowing major structural blocks to be assembled with higher levels of pre-integration. The approach is intended to shorten final assembly time and improve delivery certainty as additional ships progress through construction.

The Type 31 program represents a central element of the United Kingdom’s future surface fleet strategy, supporting thousands of skilled jobs and strengthening domestic capability to design and build complex warships. Most work is concentrated in Scotland and supported by a network of suppliers across the United Kingdom and internationally.

The frigates are based on the Arrowhead 140 design, which has also secured international customers, including Poland’s Miecznik program and multiple builds in Indonesia. Officials said the design’s export success reflects growing global demand for adaptable surface combatants with modular upgrade potential.

Once operational, the five Inspiration-class frigates are expected to conduct missions including maritime security, intelligence operations, defense engagement, and humanitarian support. The ships are designed with flexibility for future upgrades throughout their service life.

The rollout of HMS Active follows earlier progress across the program, including the emergence of the lead ship HMS Venturer in 2025 and the keel laying of HMS Formidable last year, signaling continued expansion of the United Kingdom’s future frigate force.