Operational Capability Of Glasgow Frigate Pushed Back A Year

The newest frigate for the British Royal Navy will achieve initial operational capability a year late, reports Jane’s, citing Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.

In a written statement to Parliament last week, Wallace confirmed that the milestone for the Glasgow, the lead Type 26 frigate, would be pushed back from October 2027 to October 2028.

The delay was attributed to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the Govan shipyard to close for several weeks, and typical first of class issues, such as finalizing the design and delivering new to service equipment, he said.

The delay is expected to add US$252 million to the overall Glasgow-class frigate program.

Work was underway to increase productivity at the Govan shipyard and improve on the revised IOC date, Wallace said.