HMS GLASGOW embarked on flotation, which paved the way for its first entry into the water.

In the coming days, HMS GLASGOW, weighing around 6,000 tonnes, will be transported on a barge from the BAE Systems Govan shipyard and will perform several manoeuvres before being towed down the river to a deep-water location in the west of Scotland.

The bottom of the barge will be slowly submerged for several hours until HMS GLASGOW is fully submerged. It will then be towed along the Clyde to BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard. Here, it will go through the remaining stages without being tested and put into service and will start service.

British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said: ‘’ The first launch of HMS GLASGOW marks a major milestone for the Type 26 programme, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs in Scotland and the wider UK supply chain. We continue to invest in the British shipbuilding industry to maintain the Royal Navy’s superior ability to defend our nation, while strengthening our partnership with our allies.’’

David Shepherd, BAE Systems Type 26 Program Director said: ‘’ Seeing HMS GLASGOW on the water for the first time will be a proud and exciting moment for the thousands of people involved in this great effort. It will soon be transported to our Scotstoun shipyard in Glasgow, where we look forward to setting up and bringing its complex systems to life.’’

At the same time, the flotation process will be assisted by engineers and members of the Royal Navy from Defense Equipment & Support, the MOD delivery agency.

Flotation is a more modern, efficient and low-risk way for the ship to enter the water compared to previous dynamic launches. This process has proven itself, used for five Offshore Patrol Ships built by BAE Systems in Glasgow, the last of which was delivered to the Royal Navy in 2020.

Construction of HMS GLASGOW began in 2017. The second and third ships, HMS CARDIFF and HMS BELFAST, are currently being built in Govan. HMS GLASGOW is expected to be delivered to the Royal Navy in the mid-2020s.

In early November, the Ministry of Defence signed a £4.2 billion contract with BAE Systems to build five Type 26 City Class frigates for the Royal Navy.