Type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow set to enter water by the end of the year
The first of the Royal Navy's new Type 26 frigates is due to move on to the next stage of construction by the end of the year.
HMS Glasgow – the first of eight ships in the class – is being built at the BAE Systems shipyard in Govan.
She will be floated and transferred across the Clyde to the company's Scotstoun yard for outfitting and commissioning within the next few months.
HMS Cardiff and HMS Belfast are also being built at the Govan site.
BAE Systems managing director of naval ships Simon Lister said: "We are making good progress.
"We plan to float off by the end of the year on schedule and she's in good shape.
"It's a great source of pride for us. Pride on the Clyde is a phrase you hear around here and we're delighted to be trusted to do this work for the navy."
The Type 26 frigates will replace the Type 23s currently in service.
They will be tasked with protecting the UK nuclear deterrent and Royal Navy's aircraft carrier strike groups from hostile submarines.
The frigates will have a top speed of 26+ knots and are equipped with a five-inch medium calibre gun and a Sea Ceptor anti-air defence missile system.
The ship's flexible mission bay is capable of housing and deploying vessels, vehicles and containers, while the flight deck is large enough to handle a Chinook helicopter.
Mr Lister added: "We are really proud to be building a really powerful anti-submarine warfare frigate.
"It's optimised for anti-submarine warfare.
"I'm sure many will know the threat that is presented today by submarines in the North Atlantic and this ship is optimised for that, so we're very proud to be making something of this calibre."
It is hoped HMS Glasgow will be brought into service by the mid-2020s.