The past met the future in Rosyth this week as the third of the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates began to take shape with the laying of HMS Formidable’s keel, a moment that blended centuries of naval tradition with modern shipbuilding technology at Babcock’s facility on the Forth.
Hundreds of shipwrights, engineers, technicians, their families, and invited guests looked on as the youngest member of the Inspiration class workforce, 17 year old welding and fabrication apprentice Joolz Hunter, placed a newly minted coin beneath the keel.
The coin, which carries Formidable’s crest on one side and the Babcock logo on the other, is believed to bring good fortune to the ship and her future company. The practice, which dates back centuries, echoes discoveries such as the coin found under the main mast of HMS Victory during restoration.
Work on HMS Formidable has been ongoing since October 2024, when the first steel was cut. With keel laying now complete, the frigate will begin to take on her distinctive form as the first of 170 modules, each weighing the equivalent of 15 family cars, is brought together. Once complete, the ship will patrol global waters under the White Ensign as part of the Royal Navy’s general duties fleet.
At present, only HMS Venturer, the first of the Inspiration class, has a full crew, who are also responsible for supporting the second and third ships. Commander Thomas Hetherington, Senior Naval Officer of HMS Venturer and Type 31 Ships, underscored the significance of the day.
“HMS Formidable’s keel laying ceremony marks a significant milestone in the Type 31 project’s relentless progress in delivering the Royal Navy’s Inspiration Class to operations,” he said. “The ceremony blends the tradition of marking the birth of a ship with the undoubted technological advances that have been used in designing and building her for the extremely complex environment she will sail in.
“HMS Formidable will help modernise the Royal Navy’s frigate fleet and enhance the lived experience for our sailors as they continue to deliver on operations across the globe.”
HMS Venturer is already in the water undergoing final fitting, while the second frigate, HMS Active, is scheduled to be rolled out of the assembly hall next year. Work on the fourth ship, HMS Bulldog, is also due to begin, a milestone young apprentice Joolz Hunter is eager to be part of.
“Being part of this project is incredible, I’m learning from experienced professionals and contributing to something that matters for the UK and has such a positive impact for our local community,” said Hunter, one of more than 300 apprentices hired by Babcock.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, highlighted the broader national and regional impact of the programme.
“The 300 apprentices and 350 local operatives working at Rosyth are building not just world class warships, but careers and skills that will sustain communities across Scotland,” he said. “This is the defence dividend in action, strengthening our national security, whilst delivering quality jobs and driving economic growth.
“The keel laying of HMS Formidable is a significant step in delivering the Type 31 programme, ships which will protect our nation and project British power across the globe for years to come.”
Babcock’s Marine CEO, Sir Nick Hine, echoed the pride felt across the workforce, describing the Type 31 project as “delivering one of the most advanced defence programmes, that is driving economic growth and providing highly skilled jobs to our surrounding communities here in Scotland, putting Rosyth right at the heart of UK shipbuilding innovation and cutting edge digital technology.”
The five ship Type 31 class, all to be based in Portsmouth, forms one half of the Royal Navy’s replacement programme for the aging Type 23 fleet. While the Glasgow built Type 26 frigates will specialise in anti submarine warfare, the Type 31s will undertake a wide range of general duties, including counter smuggling operations, disaster relief, and maritime security patrols across the globe.
With HMS Formidable now firmly underway, the Inspiration class continues to represent both the Royal Navy’s proud history and its ambitions for the future.
Image: MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
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