Less than a month after the undocking of HMS „Active“ (F08) from the production hall, the second Type 31 frigate of the Inspiration class (7,000 tonnes) was launched for the first time in a tide-independent basin in Rosyth (Scotland) on 21 March.

The ship is currently moored on the same basin wall where the aircraft carriers have already been fitted out. HMS „Active“ will then be transferred to the dry dock as soon as the first unit of the class, HMS „Venturer“ (F12), has been moved to the fitting-out pier. Three further units are planned for the programme, with delivery scheduled by 2030: HMS „Formidable“ (F11), under construction since December 2025, as well as HMS „Bulldog“ (F09) and HMS „Campbeltown“ (F10). At the same time, export variants based on Babcock's Arrowhead 140 are being built for Indonesia (four units) and Poland (three units, Miecznik class; marineforum.online reported).

Babcock intends to optimise the production process so that future ships of the class can be moved directly from the construction hall to the fitting-out berth without using a dry dock. This approach is in line with proven processes at high-throughput naval shipyards and should further reduce construction times.

kdk, Navy Lookout