Babcock reaches dual milestone for Type 31 programme

Babcock International has marked a significant phase in the Royal Navy’s Type 31 Inspiration-class frigate programme with a dual ceremony at its Rosyth facility. But with many problems plaguing the Royal Navy, it will take more than new ships to change its fortunes.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence. Published on February 25, 2026.

Babcock has simultaneously commenced the build of the fourth Type 31 frigate, HMS Bulldog, and moved the second hull, HMS Active, out of the assembly hall. The milestones highlight a maturing modular construction process designed to accelerate the delivery of the five-ship fleet. 

“Delivering the steel cut for HMS Bulldog and the rollout of HMS Active on the same day is a powerful demonstration of the drive and delivery focus of our Type 31 programme,” David Lockwood, Babcock CEO, stated in the February 24 press release.

With the first-in-class HMS Venturer already in the water and the third, HMS Formidable, under assembly, the programme is maintaining a high tempo intended to revitalise the Royal Navy’s surface escort numbers.

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The ceremonial steel cut for HMS Bulldog on 24 February marks the start of construction for the penultimate vessel in the Inspiration class. The rollout of HMS Active from the ‘Venturer Building’ means the hull is structurally complete and ready for the next phase of outfitting before entering the water.

Thales also completed the factory acceptance tests for the Tacticos combat system in September 2025, clearing the way for them to be integrated into the Type 31s. 

Tech profile: Modular construction and Arrowhead 140

The Type 31 is based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, a platform that has already secured export success in Poland (Miecznik programme) and Indonesia. The design utilises a modern modular approach, where large “blocks” of the ship are outfitted with systems and compartments before being joined together.

According to Babcock, the programme is now seeing the benefits of “learning from experience.” Design improvements identified during the construction of the first two ships are being integrated into hulls three and four to increase build efficiency. By increasing the level of outfitting in the manufacturing bays before the blocks reach the assembly hall, the company aims to significantly reduce the final integration time.

The vessels are designed to be adaptable, featuring a combat management system and modular architecture that allows for rapid capability upgrades to meet evolving threats.

Calibre comment: Restoring escort mass

The Type 31 programme is a critical component of the UK’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, aimed at addressing a long-standing deficit in the Royal Navy’s frigate numbers. While the Type 26 Global Combat Ship handles the high-end anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role, the Type 31 is intended as a versatile, “GP” (General Purpose) frigate for maritime security, intelligence gathering, and defence engagement.

However, there are growing concerns around the Royal Navy’s ability to crew its fleet. Despite recent boosts in recruitment, the overall numbers of the British armed forces are down. And this is most prominent amongst trained personnel. This is problematic for the Navy as it relies on specialised personnel like sonar operators. The Type 31 is expected to be more automated than the Type 23, which may ease that burden. But the consensus remains that there are too few ships, and too few crews for the Navy to do everything that is asked of it. 

• Project CABOT, transforming ASW for the Royal Navy – Calibre Defence
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This matters for the UK, but also Europe. The Royal Navy is supposed to be one of the premier ASW capabilities in NATO. If NATO is not able to effectively hunt Russian submarines in the event of a conflict, there is little point in developing more effective land forces. 

The lead image shows the rollout of HMS Active at Rosyth. Credit: Babcock.