BAE Systems has announced that groundwork is progressing swiftly for the commencement of construction on the Royal Navy’s sixth Type 26 frigate, HMS Newcastle, with essential, early-stage components already under production.
This announcement featured in the corporation’s full-year 2025 financial outcomes, disclosed on February 18th, as the prominent defense firm declared unprecedented revenues and an expanding list of outstanding orders, driven by increasing worldwide demand for defense.
Within its financial report, BAE Systems stated: “Preparations to start construction of the sixth Type 26 frigate, HMS Newcastle, are well underway with long-lead equipment items already in progress.”
The construction of the Type 26 frigates is taking place along Glasgow’s River Clyde, with the undertaking shared between BAE’s Govan and Scotstoun shipbuilding facilities. This initiative aims to provide eight sophisticated anti-submarine warfare frigates to the Royal Navy, which will constitute a vital component of the service’s forthcoming surface fleet.
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BAE Systems underscored ongoing advancements within the broader Type 26 initiative, observing that concluding fitting-out operations are currently in motion for HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff at Scotstoun, concurrently, HMS Belfast, HMS Birmingham and HMS Sheffield are advancing in their fabrication stages at the corporation’s Govan facility.
The corporation additionally highlighted fresh capital expenditure within its Glasgow premises, notably, the inauguration of the Janet Harvey Hall at Govan. This spacious, sheltered assembly structure was engineered to permit the simultaneous construction of two Type 26 frigates. BAE Systems affirmed that the hall is presently accommodating tasks on HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham.
The corporation’s financial report also drew attention to the launch of its Applied Shipbuilding Academy, located in Glasgow. This £12 million educational establishment is designed to foster the sustained development of expertise for naval vessel fabrication along the Clyde.
Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems’ Chief Executive, commented that the corporation is favourably situated to meet defense requirements. He referred to what he termed a “new epoch of defense expenditure,” propelled by intensifying security dilemmas. BAE Systems declared revenues of £30.6 billion for 2025 and noted that its outstanding orders climbed to an unprecedented £83.7 billion.