Type 26 Frigate

An acoustically quiet, ASW-optimised frigate designed for carrier and submarine escort — the parent of the “Global Combat Ship” family selected by three allied navies, with the first UK hull, HMS Glasgow, fitting out for sea trials.

Overview

The Type 26, designated the City-class in British service, is a next-generation anti-submarine warfare frigate developed for the Royal Navy and adapted as a common base design for Australia, Canada, and Norway. Its mission set is built around acoustic discretion for SSBN and carrier-group escort, supported by a large flexible-mission bay and a mixed VLS load of strike-length Mk 41 cells and quad-packed CAMM/Sea Ceptor air-defence missiles. The design has become one of the most widely ordered Western escort hulls in decades, with over 30 ships planned across four nations.

Development

The programme began as the Future Surface Combatant, evolved through the C1 design concept, and was formally launched as the Type 26 or Global Combat Ship. BAE Systems is prime contractor, with fabrication centred on Glasgow. Construction of the lead ship, HMS Glasgow, began in 2017 and the vessel was named at a ceremony in December 2022, according to Naval Technology. The United Kingdom’s Defence Equipment & Support organisation oversees delivery of eight City-class frigates, and Naval Technology reports that Glasgow is expected to begin sea trials in late 2026 ahead of a planned service entry around 2028.

Design & capabilities

Acoustic stealth is the Type 26’s defining characteristic. The hull is designed to produce minimal underwater radiated noise, and the CODLOG propulsion system allows silent “electric-only” cruise on four diesel generators, switching to a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine for a sprint speed of over 26 kts. The UK MoD notes the ship’s role is “to protect the Continuous At Sea Deterrent and the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers from hostile submarines.” Armament is arranged around 24 strike-length Mk 41 VLS cells for future cruise and anti-ship weapons, plus 48 CAMM/Sea Ceptor air-defence missiles in ExLS quad-pack launchers. A 5-inch Mk 45 Mod 4 gun, two 30 mm cannons, and a Phalanx CIWS provide close-in defence. The sensors combine the Type 997 Artisan 3D radar with the Sonar 2087 towed-array and Sonar 2150 hull-mounted sonar, while a large mission bay under the flight deck can accommodate modular payloads, boats, and unmanned vehicles. Originally described by Naval Technology, the UK variant displaces about 8,000 t full load, carries a core crew of ~157–161, and can embark a Merlin HM2 or Wildcat helicopter.

Variants

The parent design has been adapted for three export customers: the Australian Hunter-class, the Canadian River-class (CSC), and a planned Norwegian requirement for five ships plus an option for a sixth. All variants retain the silent CODLOG core but differ in combat systems: the Australian and Canadian ships replace the UK sensor suite with Aegis and the AN/SPY-7 solid-state radar, while Canada’s River-class also changes the main gun to the OTO 127 mm.

Combat record / operational use

No Type 26 frigate has yet been commissioned or deployed operationally; as of early 2026 the lead ship remains fitting out. The programme’s broader operational significance therefore lies in the scale of the international builds, which, once complete, will provide a NATO-aligned, acoustically quiet escort force across the Atlantic, Indo-Pacific, and high north. The design’s selection by four allied navies, detailed in the Naval Technology programme profile, underscores its influence even before a single hull enters service.

Advantages

• Deliberately engineered for low radiated noise, optimised for ASW escort.
• CODLOG propulsion gives silent loiter with a sprint capability over 26 kts.
• Flexible weapons fit — strike Mk 41, quad-packed CAMM, and a large helicopter/mission bay.
• Eight UK hulls on order and a global build tally exceeding 30 ships, reducing unit cost and spreading sustainment across allied fleets.
• Proven sensor backbone (Artisan 997, Sonar 2087) carried over from the preceding Type 23, lowering integration risk.

Drawbacks / limitations

• No at-sea trials data yet; the platform’s real-world signature and availability are unproven.
• The baseline UK variant carries only 24 strike-length VLS cells — fewer than contemporary AAW-oriented frigates — limiting the volume of offensive missiles.
• Export variants with Aegis/SPY-7 require significant redesign, slowing delivery schedules and increasing programme risk.
• Dependence on BAE Systems for the entire family makes production capacity a potential bottleneck for concurrent builds.

Counterparts

• Admiral Gorshkov (Russia)
• Type 054A (China)

Outlook

The Type 26 is poised to become the Royal Navy’s principal escort for carrier and deterrent task groups, with all eight City-class hulls intended to enter service through the 2030s. Success or failure will be measured first by acoustic performance and machinery reliability during Glasgow’s forthcoming sea trials, then by the ability of BAE Systems and the partner shipyards to deliver the wider global build programme on schedule and on budget.

Key specifications

Sources

1. Naval Technology — Type 26 Global Combat Ship Programme, UK — https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/type-26-gcs-programme-uk/
2. UK Defence Equipment & Support (DES) — Type 26 Frigate — https://des.mod.uk/what-we-do/navy-procurement-support/type-26-frigate/
3. Naval Technology — HMS Glasgow, first of the UK’s Type 26 frigates, officially named — https://www.naval-technology.com/news/hms-glasgow-first-of-the-uks-type-26-frigates-officially-named/