The ship is lowered onto a barge and then towed down the river to deeper water. The float-off process is different from previous launches where there is no splash. It is a more efficient and low-risk way and was used previously for the five Batch 2 class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) (Tamar, Spey, Trent, Medway and Forth).
(HMS Tamar)
The frigates are primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to protect the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. HMS Glasgow began construction in 2017.
It is an advanced anti-submarine warfare ship designed to defend the Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers while supporting air defence and general-purpose operations. She will be propelled to a top speed of over 26 kn by a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine and four MTU diesel generators driving two electric motors. She will have a range of more than 7,000 nautical miles, a large flight deck to accommodate a Chinook helicopter, and its standard complement of two Merlins or Wildcats. Type 26 has also been ordered by the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy, and Brazil may acquire it. HMS Glasgow is expected to be commissioned in the mid-2020s. Meanwhile, the class’s second and third ships, HMS Cardiff and HMS Belfast, are being built in Govan. It will have a range of over 7,000 nm, and the flight deck will be large enough to handle a Chinook helicopter and its standard complement of two Merlins or Wildcats. The Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy have also ordered Type 26, and Brazil may acquire it. HMS Glasgow is scheduled to be commissioned sometime in the mid-2020s. Meanwhile, the class’s second and third ships, HMS Cardiff and HMS Belfast, are being built in Govan.
