UK discloses 2027 in-service date for Type 31 frigate

摘要

It has emerged that the first Type 31 general-purpose frigate for the UK Royal Navy (RN) is not scheduled to enter service until mid-2027, casting serious doubts over the government's long-standing commitment to maintain a force of 19 frigates and destroyers. In November last year Babcock was awarded a GBP1.2S billion (USD1.63 billion) contract by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the delivery of five Type 31 ships based on the Arrowhead 140 frigate design. The total cost of the programme - including associated costs such as integrated logistic support, initial training, provision of government furnished assets, and completion of capability trials - is put at GBP2 billion.