The construction of the Royal Navy’s latest warship, HMS Formidable, began this week at Babcock’s advanced facility in Rosyth.
An event to mark the key milestone in British shipbuilding on Wednesday was attended by political, military, and business figures, alongside hundreds of skilled engineers.
HMS Formidable is the third in a series of five Type 31 frigates, following HMS Venturer and HMS Active, both currently under construction in the expansive assembly hall at Rosyth. Known as the Inspiration class, these ships draw their names from notable vessels in Royal Navy history, selected to inspire future generations. Formidable takes its name from a World War II aircraft carrier that earned ten battle honours during its service.
The new HMS Formidable is designed for versatility, capable of undertaking a broad range of global missions—from maritime security patrols and disaster-relief efforts to acting as a base for commando operations. She will also serve as a symbol of British diplomacy, representing the UK in international waters.
The Type 31 frigates are significantly larger than the outgoing Type 23s but benefit from advanced technology that allows for a reduced crew size. The Inspiration-class ships require a crew of around 120, compared to the 180-200 sailors needed for their predecessors.
Each of these state-of-the-art frigates is equipped with formidable firepower, including a 57mm main gun with programmable ammunition, two 40mm Bofors guns, the Sea Ceptor air defence missile system, and cutting-edge 4D radar. With one of the largest flight decks in the Royal Navy and a spacious hold, the ships are designed to be adaptable, carrying equipment for various missions—whether it be minehunting, deploying drones, or delivering disaster-relief supplies.
Babcock’s Rosyth facility has seen a £200 million investment over recent years, including the creation of a large assembly hall that allows two frigates to be constructed simultaneously. The Type 31 project is expected to support approximately 2,500 jobs across the UK at its peak, including 1,250 direct roles and many more within the broader supply chain.
Speaking at the event, Commodore Stephen Roberts, the Royal Navy’s Senior Responsible Owner for the Type 31 programme, highlighted the proud tradition that the new Formidable would carry forward. He invoked the spirit of her World War II namesake, “a tough ship, taking damage on many occasions but always returning to the fight,” and stressed that the new vessels would be crucial in the Navy’s mission to uphold global maritime security, protect trade routes, and combat illegal activities.
David Lockwood, Chief Executive Officer of Babcock, reinforced the significance of the event, stating: “Today marks a vital step in this important programme for the Royal Navy. These frigates are set to play a crucial role in protecting the UK and bolstering international defence collaborations. This project is a testament to the UK’s shipbuilding capabilities, delivering real economic benefits to Scotland and communities across the nation. It is an honour for our team at Babcock to be building these ships for the country.”
As the work continues, completed sections of Formidable will join the assembly line once HMS Venturer is launched next year. The final two ships in the five-vessel Inspiration class, HMS Bulldog and HMS Campbeltown, will follow, marking a new chapter for the Royal Navy’s modern surface fleet.
