First Type 31 Frigate Floated as U.K. Royal Navy’s £1.25B Program Progresses

The U.K. Royal Navy's future frigate HMS Venturer has left Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard for the first time, transported by submersible barge to Leith Docks for float-off, marking a key phase in the Type 31 warship program.

This step comes just two weeks after the ship emerged from the build hall in Fife. The float-off operation was necessary due to depth requirements and involved submerging the barge in the River Forth, enabling HMS Venturer to float free. The ship passed under all three Forth bridges during the journey.

Babcock is under contract to deliver five Type 31 frigates as part of the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The program, awarded in 2019, is valued at around £1.25 billion and supports over 1,250 jobs and 150 apprenticeships in Rosyth, plus another 1,250 jobs across the national supply chain.

Construction of HMS Active and HMS Formidable, the next two ships in the class, is already underway. The Royal Navy aims to have all five vessels operational by 2030.

In April 2025, Babcock was awarded an additional £65 million for a Capability Insertion Period (CIP), enhancing all five Type 31 ships. These upgrades are expected to include the integration of the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, increasing the warships' missile options and operational flexibility.

Designed as general-purpose frigates, the Type 31 ships will contribute to maritime security, disaster response, intelligence gathering, and defense diplomacy. Each vessel will be fitted with a Bofors 57mm main gun, two 40mm secondary guns, and the Sea Ceptor missile system for air defense. They will also have space for helicopters such as the Merlin or Wildcat and can carry ISO containers for mission-specific equipment.

With a top speed of 26 knots, radar systems like the Thales NS110 or NS200, and a modular design, the Type 31 class is intended to offer global presence and operational versatility.