Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the war in Ukraine, whether the (1) Type 26, and (2) Type 31, frigate programmes will be accelerated.

The Department continually reviews its shipbuilding programme schedules within the related constraints.

All three ships of the first batch of Type 26 frigates are currently in build in Govan. The first Type 26 frigate, HMS GLASGOW, is expected to be in service with the Royal Navy in 2027.

The procurement of Batch 2 (Ships 4-8) was confirmed in 2021. The dates for the construction of each ship will be set during commercial negotiations with BAES. The in service dates for Batch 2 ships will be determined and approved when the programme achieves its main investment decision point.

There are five Type 31 frigates on contract with Babcock. The first Type 31 frigate HMS VENTURER is expected to be in service with the Royal Navy in 2027.