First Type 26 Named HMS Glasgow

The name of the first Type 26 frigate has been revealed as HMS Glasgow at an official steel cutting ceremony in Govan.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon made the announcement before he cut the first steel for the Clyde-built warship at BAE Systems' shipyard.

He said: "Today marks yet another historic milestone for the Royal Navy, Scottish shipbuilding and UK Defence more widely.

"Glasgow will protect our powerful new aircraft carriers and nuclear deterrent, keeping British interests safe across the world.

"The Type 26 is a cutting-edge warship that will maintain our naval power with a truly global reach.

"Designed for a service life of at least 25 years, the Type 26 Frigates will form a backbone of the future Royal Navy surface fleet into the 2060s."

A total of eight ships are expected to be built within the programme with the deal for the next five ships to be negotiated in 2020.

Admiral Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord said: “The name Glasgow brings with it a string of battle honours.

“As one of the world’s most capable anti-submarine frigates, the Type 26 will carry the Royal Navy’s tradition of victory far into the future.”

It will be the ninth HMS Glasgow in the Royal Navy’s history, dating back to 1707.

Admiral Sir Philip Jones said: “As an island nation, we are utterly dependant on the sea for our security and prosperity.

“The City-class confirms the historic bond between the Royal Navy’s fighting ships and our great centres of commerce and industry.”

The ships will specialise in anti-submarine warfare and work closely with the Navy's Trident nuclear deterrent and the new aircraft carriers, the first of which, HMS Queen Elizabeth, launched from Rosyth last week for sea trials.

The Type 26 will replace the UK’s Type 23 frigates, with the first set to enter service in the early 2020s and the last remaining in service beyond the middle of the century.