The United Kingdom has moved HMS Cardiff, its second Type 26 City-class frigate, into the afloat fitting-out phase after BAE Systems completed the warship’s first flood-up at the Scotstoun shipyard in Glasgow, marking a key step toward expanding the Royal Navy’s future anti-submarine warfare capability against increasingly quiet submarine threats. BAE Systems confirmed the milestone on April 30, 2026, as the frigate transitions from dry-dock construction to combat system integration, harbour testing, and eventual sea trials for a class designed to replace the Royal Navy’s aging Type 23 anti-submarine fleet. HMS Cardiff will now undergo installation and testing of sensors, weapons, and mission systems that will define the Type 26’s role as a high-end submarine hunter capable of protecting carrier strike groups and strategic maritime routes. The programme reflects a broader Western push to strengthen undersea warfare, survivability, and long-range naval deterrence as NATO navies adapt to renewed great-power competition in the Atlantic and Arctic regions. Read more...
