BAE Systems starts construction of new shipbuilding hall for Type 26 f…

Measuring 170 m long and 80 m wide, the new assembly hall at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard will be large enough for two Type 26 frigates to be constructed side by side. (BAE Systems)

BAE Systems has started construction of a new covered assembly hall at its Govan facility on the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland, that will help accelerate the outfitting and integration of later ships in the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) Type 26 City-class frigate build programme.

Measuring 170×80×46 m, the new building will have the capacity to consolidate two Type 26 frigates under cover side by side – overcoming the dimensional constraints of the existing facilities that require ship assembly to be undertaken outside on the external hardstanding, exposed to the elements. In addition to improving the build process, the new facility will enable more units to be added to the ship, and at greater height, before roll-out – meaning that each ship will be more materially complete before moving across to the dry dock in Scotstoun for test and acceptance.

Announcing the latest milestone on 16 October, BAE Systems said the new assembly hall is a major element of the GBP300 million (USD365.4 million) modernisation and digitalisation of the shipbuilding facilities at its Govan and Scotstoun sites.

BAE Systems was awarded a GBP4.2 billion contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to build the second batch of Type 26 frigates for the RN in November 2022. Under the deal the company's Naval Ships business will build five additional Type 26 frigates to complement the first three under construction and complete the eight-ship class.