Earlier today, May 27, the Royal Navy announced the completion of the assembly of the first of its new Type 31 frigates, confirming steady progress in one of its key shipbuilding programs—alongside the Type 26 project—aimed at replacing the current Type 23 vessels. Named HMS Venturer, construction began in 2022 at the Babcock shipyard in Scotland, marking a major milestone in strengthening the United Kingdom’s naval capabilities.
As part of a £10 billion investment, this new generation of multi-purpose ships, belonging to the Inspiration-class, is intended to replace the Type 23 frigates and form the backbone of the so-called “Future Fleet.” It is worth noting that the Royal Navy has ordered four additional units to complete this new class of frigates.
As the first of the five, HMS Venturer measures 139 meters in length and has a displacement of 5,700 tonnes. The ship was developed with a focus on operational efficiency, combining enhanced capabilities with a significant reduction in crew size: it will operate with approximately 120 sailors, compared to the 180–200 required for the current Type 23s. This feature, along with its modular design and integration of modern systems, positions the Inspiration-class as a key platform for global naval operations in the coming decades.
In terms of weaponry, the frigates will be equipped with a wide array of systems, including Sea Ceptor missiles, a 57 mm Mk 110 main gun, and two secondary 40 mm Mk 4 guns. Additionally, although limited information is available, the second ship of the class, HMS Active, has also entered construction, according to a 2023 Royal Navy report that highlighted progress on the HMS Venturer.
Finally, according to a statement from the Royal Navy, after the main assembly was completed in Rosyth, the ship was moved outdoors using specially designed mobile platforms. This process, which lasted about 12 hours, marked the first time HMS Venturer was exposed to the open air.
The frigate is scheduled to be placed on a special barge and launched at the Scottish shipyard’s dock during the northern hemisphere’s summer. From there, it will enter a new phase focused on the installation of systems, sensors, and weaponry on its upper structure, followed by sea trials, with a view to its future integration into the Royal Navy’s surface fleet.
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