9 Oct 2024

Babcock cuts steel on third Type 31 Inspiration Class frigate, HMS Formidable

Two Babcock employees in blue overalls holding the crests for each of the three Type 31 frigates - Active, Venturer and Formidable

Today, we’ve cut steel on HMS Formidable, the third of five Inspiration Class frigates we’re building for the Royal Navy at our Rosyth facility in Scotland, marking the official start of the ship’s build programme.

Coming only 20 months after the steel cut ceremony for the second ship, HMS 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.

The first Type 31 Frigate, HMS Venturer, is nearing structural completion, with the final unit now added to the vessel within the Rosyth assembly hall alongside HMS Active.

It was a great opportunity for our employees, including representatives from our latest apprentice and graduate intake, to celebrate this important occasion with senior guests from the UK Government and Royal Navy, alongside Trades Unions representatives and guests from international industry and Armed Forces.

Babcock’s Chief Executive Officer, David Lockwood said:

“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.

“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.”

Themed ‘Formidable Engineering’, the day was a celebration of engineering ingenuity, with guests experiencing the build programme first hand, while enjoying a STEM-focused event supported by colleagues and partners from across the Type 31 team.

Underpinning our commitment to developing the skills required to support defence programmes now and, in the future, we’re creating 1000 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, benefitting the UK economy and local communities alike.

Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said:

“This government is committed to making Britain secure at home and strong abroad. These frigates will be at the heart of the Royal Navy fleet, deterring aggression and supporting our military.

“Today’s significant milestone is backing the government’s mission to grow the economy by supporting thousands of jobs in Scotland and across the UK.

“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.”

Formidable means unstoppable.
It means one of the best. Powerful and capable.
A force for good.
Type 31 is just that.
The Type 31 is a next generation frigate.
A strong history named after a World War II carrier.
Steel cut mark the transition from thought into action.
Steel cut ceremony is a tradition for UK shipbuilding.
The ceremony marks the beginning of production of the formidable, the third of these Type 31 ships.
Type 31 is the most powerful general frigate.
The third ship is a real production ship.
The facility in Rosyth, every time I come, something new has happened.
We’ve spent millions of pounds refurbishing the bays.
New cutting machines, bending machine, robots.
Babcock is the best heavy engineering site in the UK.
Creating skills and jobs here is essential for us.
The workforce is always getting bigger and bigger.
We bring people back into the workforce.
We have a strong apprentice and graduate programme.
The Royal Navy is proud to be in Rosyth.
I think it’s our responsibility
to be a key member of Scottish society.
I just see it as my daily task.
Cut it, it moves on.