Three teams shortlisted for new Type 31e frigate contract

Five new Type 31e warships are due to be built under the first part of the contract, worth a total of £1.25 billion. The Ministry of Defence says it wants the first ship to be delivered to the Royal Navy by 2023, just three years after the official commencement of the programme.

This shorter development cycle marks a departure from previous naval programmes and comes on the back of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which was launched in September 2017 following an independent report written by Sir John Parker. Strategic aims outlined in the plan include enhancing the Royal Navy fleet by the 2030s, exporting British ships overseas, and boosting innovation, skills, jobs and productivity across the UK.

https://www.theengineer.co.uk/shipbuilding-strategy-type-31e-frigates/

“This is the first frigate competition the UK has run in a generation, and today we are funding three shipbuilding teams with extremely exciting concepts to continue developing their plans,” said Defence Minister Stuart Andrew.

“Next year we will announce the winning bidder, and one of these designs will go on to bolster our future fleet with five new ships, creating UK jobs and ensuring our Royal Navy maintains a truly global presence in an increasingly uncertain world.”