UK's Shipbuilding Strategy Yields Global Success and Naval Boost
The UK's National Shipbuilding Strategy and Royal Navy fleet recapitalisation are yielding positive results, as highlighted in an article by William Freer. The strategy, which aims to revive the country's shipbuilding industry after decades of underinvestment, has seen significant progress.
Freer's article points to several key achievements. The Type 26 frigate design has been selected by Canada and Australia, and the Type 31 exported to Indonesia and Poland. This export success has been central to the revival of the UK's shipbuilding industry. It's the first time since 1970 that a British shipyard has built escorts to a foreign order.
The strategy's dividends also extend to Royal Navy activity. Carrier Strike Group 2025 is set to reassemble in East Asia, while Astute-class submarines continue operations. The Council on Geostrategy's maritime magazine, The Broadside, has praised the UK's naval progress, citing an article from The Signal. Additionally, BAE Systems' Glasgow shipyard is constructing five Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy. Norway has chosen the Type 26 for a £10 billion programme, to be built on the Clyde, though no Norwegian ships have been confirmed in construction yet.
These export agreements will result in 26 British-designed ships being built abroad, often with British components. The strategy's focus on modest investment is yielding significant dividends, not just for the UK's shipbuilding industry, but also for the Royal Navy's operational capabilities.
