Babcock cuts steel for Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate HMS VENTURER at Rosyth

We were proud to be joined by UK Secretary of State for Defence and Shipbuilding Tsar, Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP to cut the first steel for the first of the Royal Navy’s five new Type 31 frigates, HMS VENTURER at our Rosyth facility.

​Our Rosyth facility, Scotland, is where the Type 31 Inspiration class ships are being built and we were joined today by representatives from across the UK and international industry and public service to witness the historic ceremony signalling the official start of the build programme alongside colleagues and representatives from the local community.

The frigates will be at the heart of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, deterring aggression and maintaining the security of the UK’s interests as well as providing humanitarian relief when needed. The frigates will work alongside the UK’s Allies to deliver a warship presence across the globe and enable a forward naval presence.

The event also saw Babcock’s new assembly hall named ‘The Venturer Building’ – paying homage to the first new class of frigates to be built in the facility. This vast structure measuring 147m x 62m x 42m is capable of housing two Type 31 frigates for parallel build and assembly activity.

Babcock CEO David Lockwood said:

“This is a significant moment.  We are witnessing what the National Shipbuilding strategy can achieve. Working with our partners and customers, we are creating something we can all be very proud of. The T31 Class will show the adaptability and capability of a modern warship created with British ingenuity and engineering at its core. I’m looking forward to seeing these magnificent vessels emerge from our newly-named Venturer Building.”    

Defence Secretary and Shipbuilding Tsar Ben Wallace said:

“Today is a momentous occasion for the Type 31 programme, Defence and the shipbuilding industry in Scotland. As Shipbuilding Tsar, to cut the steel for the first of five new frigates that will be constructed here on our shores in the Firth of the Forth, providing jobs and innovation to the area, is a tremendous honour.”

“Once again this wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of our people who work on this programme. Thank you to everyone involved, and not just on this project, but all our exciting programmes of work across the business that continue to build the fantastic reputation of our operations.”