Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates to be fitted with Mk41 vertical launch system
Speaking today at the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference, Admiral Sir Ben Key, confirmed the Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates will be equipped with the Mk41 VLS.
Type 31 Frigate
Type 31 frigate benefits from an international shipbuilding programme
The recent news that some hull blocks for the second Type 31 frigate, HMS Active will be built a Poland has caused some controversy around warship construction work being done overseas. Here we look at this in context and summarise current progress with the Type 31 programme.
Developing the Type 31 frigate
To some extent, the capability of the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate cannot be fully appreciated without understanding the background to its development. Public perception has perhaps been over-focused on cost and initial armament, obscuring what has been achieved. In this article, we look at the procurement process and design philosophy that underpins the project.
In focus: the Bofors 57mm Mk 3 gun that will equip the Type 31 frigates
The Type 31 frigates will introduce two guns types new to Royal Navy service. In the second of two articles examining these weapons, we look at the Bofors 57mm Mk3 gun.
More
In focus: the Bofors 40mm Mk 4 gun that will equip the Type 31 frigates
The Type 31 frigates will introduce two guns types new to Royal Navy service. In the first of two articles examining these weapons, we look at the Bofors 40mm Mk 4 gun.
Steel cut for first Type 31 frigate – HMS Venturer
At a ceremony in Rosyth today, the Defence Secretary (and ‘shipbuilding Tsar’) Ben Wallace conducted the first steel cutting, signalling the start of the Type 31 frigate construction programme.More
Royal Navy frigate programme update
Here we summarise recent news and developments concerning the Royal Navy’s future frigate programmes. More
Babcock offers the Arrowhead-140 frigate design to Greek Navy
Babcock has announced it had held talks with officials in Greece proposing the Arrowhead-140 design (the basis for the Royal Navy’s Type 31) as a candidate for the Hellenic Navy’s new frigate modernisation programme.More
Royal Navy formally announces the names of the ‘inspiration class’ Type 31 frigates
Speaking today at the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference, Admiral Tony Radakin announced the names of the five Type 31 frigate being constructed for the Royal Navy in Rosyth; HMS Active, HMS Bulldog, HMS Campbeltown, HMS Formidable and HMS Venturer.