UK’s first Type 26 frigate named in Glasgow (VIDEO)

HMS Glasgow, the first of eight Type 26 frigates being built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy, has been officially named by Catherine, the Princess of Wales, at a ceremony in the city in which it was built and named after.

The naming ceremony took place at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard on May 22, 2025.

“The naming of HMS Glasgow is a significant step towards this cutting-edge vessel joining the Royal Navy fleet and demonstrates our solid progress in delivering these powerful new ships. We are proud that they will play a vital role in protecting the UK,” Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, said.

“From the first ever HMS Glasgow, sailing under the Royal Navy flag at the end of the 17th century, to the ship we see here in the 21st century, HMS Glasgow has evolved and adapted to meet the warfighting and operational demands of its day,” Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell, Second Sea Lord, commented.

“This ship and her class represent the next chapter of naval innovation, setting the standard for naval warfare, safeguarding the UK’s interests and contributing to national prosperity.”

The Type 26 frigates, also known as the City-class frigates, are a new class of advanced warships being built for the Royal Navy. Designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), they also possess flexible capabilities for a wide range of operations, including air defense, general-purpose missions, and humanitarian aid.

The Type 26 frigate is approximately 149.9 meters long and has a full-load displacement of around 6,900 tonnes, providing the capacity to carry extensive weapon systems, sensors, and support equipment.

The ship is designed to reach speeds in excess of 26 knots and has an operational range of over 7,000 nautical miles.

Each of the Type 26 units will be equipped with a range of advanced capabilities including the Sea Ceptor missile defense system, a 5-inch medium caliber gun, flexible mission bay, Artisan 997 Medium Range Radar and towed array sonar. Moreover, they will be armed with the future cruise/anti-ship weapon (FC/ASW).

BAE Systems is constructing a total of eight Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy, all of which are being built in Glasgow, Scotland. These advanced warships are designed to replace the aging Type 23 frigates.

As of now, five of the eight frigates are at various stages of construction. Work is already well underway on HMS Glasgow’s sister ships. HMS Cardiff moved to BAE Systems’ Scotstoun yard last year to begin outfitting. HMS Belfast, HMS Birmingham and HMS Sheffield are progressing at the company’s Govan facilities, while steel will be cut on HMS Newcastle later this year.

The eight ships are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.