The agreement maintains the full scope of the existing Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) contract, covering ship engineering delivery and management for Type 23 frigates, amphibious warfare ships, Sandown minehunters and landing craft vessels.

This work continues to be delivered primarily through our facilities at Devonport and Rosyth, where highly skilled teams provide the expertise, infrastructure and industrial capability required to keep the Royal Navy mission‑ready.

Phil Craig, our Managing Director of Marine Programmes, said: “This extension is a testament to the dedication and global expertise of the �鶹��ýӳ�� surface ship support teams across the entire Marine sector and is symbolic of our strong partnership with the MOD.

“Together with the Ministry of Defence, and other Surface Ship Support Alliance partners, we will build upon this FMSP extension to engage in the development of subsequent surface ship support contracts which deliver the Royal Navy’s needs in the future.”

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The extension reinforces our long-standing partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) enabling trainee pilots to access safe, reliable and cost-effective training.

Operating seven days a week, the LAFT fleet has flown more than 775,000 hours. It supports the MOD with University Air Squadron flying training, flying experiences for RAF Air Cadets, Army and Royal Navy flying grading, and international defence flying training.

We will continue to provide aircraft, engineering support, asset management, air traffic control, fire and rescue, and flying instruction at multiple locations across the UK.

Tom Morton, Managing Director of our UK Aviation business, said: “This contract extension means the MOD will continue to receive a dependable, high quality flying training service that supports those learning to fly. By maintaining strong aircraft availability and consistent instructional standards, we help create a training environment that builds confidence at every stage.

“Our teams bring deep experience across all aspects of flying training, and that expertise shapes the service we deliver each day. The extension reflects the trust placed in our people and the strength of our relationship with the MOD.”

Group Captain Jake McAllister, Commandant of No. 6 Flying Training School, said: “I am delighted that we have extended the LAFT contract. This four‑year LAFT extension underscores a proven RAF–�鶹��ýӳ�� partnership, combining the assurance of an established contract with the flexibility required to meet changing training needs across the whole force. I look forward to continuing with this strong partnership.”

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Harry Holt now steps fully into the role of Deputy CEO as he prepares to succeed our CEO David Lockwood when he retires later this year. Harry will work closely alongside David during this period of transition, as he gets ready to lead �鶹��ýӳ�� through its next chapter.

We are delighted to announce that Neal Misell, Chief Executive of our Mission Systems business, is now Chief Executive of our Nuclear business from today. Neal brings a wealth of experience having led multiple parts of the �鶹��ýӳ�� Group both in the UK and internationally. Neal has a proven track record of success and will lead our Nuclear Sector through an exciting time of growth and continued transformation.

Louise Atkinson, most recently our Chief People Officer, now takes on the role of Chief Executive, Mission Systems. Louise’s notable background and expertise includes more than thirteen years of senior leadership roles in �鶹��ýӳ��’s Procurement and Supply Chain, Training and Defence Equipment in the Group’s Land business, making her ideally suited to lead our Mission Systems team.

With Louise moving into her new role, Jen McElhinney is appointed our Interim Chief People Officer, bringing her experience as People Director for our Corporate functions, Chief of Staff to the Chief HR Officer, People Director for Aviation, and previous senior HR positions to help steer the business through this next period.

These changes to our Executive Committee reflect the strength and depth of our senior team and our focus on continuing to build a sustainable, successful future.

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The new Capability Centre will be based at 40-46 Royal Parade, the former home of Dingles and latterly House of Fraser, significantly increasing footfall in the city-centre, supporting local businesses and services, and helping to breathe new life into the iconic Plymouth building.

Establishing this new facility, in addition to the Dockyard, will enable us to free up vital space at our Devonport site, supporting the continued focus on delivering critical and complex Ministry of Defence programmes in the South West. The investment will also deliver a boost to Plymouth’s economy.

The plans, first announced in June 2025, will see some of our employees transition from Devonport Royal Dockyard to the new facility, which will play a key role in supporting long-term operations, while also strengthening Plymouth’s position as a national hub for defence, engineering, skills and innovation.

Harry Holt, Deputy CEO �鶹��ýӳ�� said: “Securing a location for our new off‑site facility is a significant milestone. Importantly, it will strengthen the capabilities required to deliver this critical work in the defence of our nation. The move reinforces our commitment to Team Plymouth, supporting sustainable prosperity by creating high‑quality jobs, strengthening Plymouth’s economy and accelerating regeneration in the city centre.

“With major investment through the Ministry of Defence in our Devonport co‑located site and new services, including our MoveSmart shuttle bus service, it is an exciting time for �鶹��ýӳ�� and for Plymouth. We remain committed to this journey with our colleagues, customer and partners, moving forward, together.”

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said: “�鶹��ýӳ��’s announcement that Plymouth city centre will be home to 2,000 workers is a huge vote of confidence; not just in our city, but in our regeneration plans and the future of defence here. By relocating roles into the city centre, this move creates vital space at Devonport for the billions of pounds being invested in new defence infrastructure, equipment, and capability, supporting both our armed forces and the local economy.”

Lord Vernon Coaker said: “With �鶹��ýӳ��’s new Capability Centre bringing jobs into the heart of the city, it will boost the local economy and help cement Plymouth’s status as a nationally significant hub for defence, engineering and innovation.

This is exactly the kind of investment we want to see as part of our wider mission to strengthen UK defence and spread opportunity across the country. The power of collaborative working as part of Team Plymouth will unlock Defence driven growth amongst our partners.”

Leader of Plymouth City Council, Tudor Evans said: “This is fantastic news for Plymouth. �鶹��ýӳ��’s commitment, bringing 2,000 more people into the city centre, will deliver a major boost to people and businesses. It marks an important moment for the city and shows what’s possible when Team Plymouth partners come together.”

The announcement builds on recent momentum for the city, including Plymouth being named a National Defence Growth Area and the Ministry of Defence’s £4.4 billion investment in Devonport.

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

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The contract, which has a maximum value of £300 million and a duration of up to 14 years, covers work to deploy GBE-N’s preferred reactor technology from Rolls-Royce SMR at the Wylfa site in North Wales.

The ‘Litmus Nuclear’ joint venture will provide essential independent assurance and expert technical advice including design, safety, engineering, construction and commissioning to support GBE-N’s goal of reaching a final investment decision for the SMR programme at Wylfa.

Mick Gornall, Managing Director, Cavendish Nuclear said, “We’re delighted to be awarded this landmark Owner’s Engineer role. The appointment reflects the strong and diverse capability within Cavendish Nuclear and the scale at which �鶹��ýӳ�� can deliver across the nuclear enterprise. The skills, experience and knowledge of our colleagues will bring assurance to the UK’s first of a kind SMR programme and will provide many more opportunities to build long term, meaningful careers for a wide range of people.”

The joint venture partners will ensure that the SMR programme is robust, meets regulatory requirements and can deliver reliable, low-carbon power for decades to come.

Simon Roddy, Chief Executive of GBE-N added: “As we continue to bring together the coalition required to deliver the UK’s first SMRs, I’m pleased to welcome Amentum and Cavendish Nuclear to the team. Their valuable expertise will be instrumental in assuring GBE-N’s project moves with pace and determination, and I look forward to working with them over the coming years.”

In November 2025, the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced that Wylfa, on the island of Anglesey/Ynys Môn had been selected as the site for the UK’s first SMRs, a planned fleet of 470MWe reactors which are smaller and designed to be built more quickly than some traditional nuclear power stations.

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The new Phoenix 3 contract is valued at around £60 million, with up to five additional one-year options and will sustain around 60 jobs across our business. The contract will ensure that the MOD continues to leverage economies of scale to secure best value and efficiency from its white fleet.

We’ll oversee a comprehensive range of responsibilities across both lease and rental vehicles that includes vehicle sourcing and procurement, Service Maintenance and Repair management, accident management and the delivery of a bespoke Fleet Management Information System (FMIS) supporting both UK‑based and overseas operations. FMIS manages all of MOD’s white fleet vehicles ensuring consistent, compliant, and efficient operations.

Kate Robinson, our Managing Director of Through Life Equipment Support (TLES), said: “Providing steadfast support to the MOD’s white fleet ensures they maintain the mobility and operational readiness it needs at home and abroad. As a trusted partner we are dedicated to sustaining the white fleet capability through the Phoenix 3 contract.”

Rear Admiral, Paul Murphy, Director Major Programmes, Defence Support, said: “Defence white fleet is a critical enabler to current, contingent and specialist operations, as well as business as usual by all areas. The award of the new Phoenix 3 contract secures this capability for the future and modernises the management of Defence white fleet. I wish to commend the collaborative approach across Defence Support and the Military Commands that has enabled this good outcome for Defence.” We continue to play a major role in delivering engineering, fleet readiness and logistics support across the British Armed Forces, including recently securing a £1 billion five‑year extension to provide strategic support to the British Army.

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The MOU, announced at the Brussels European Defence Exhibition and Conference (BEDEX), brings together our extensive international training experience with S.A.F.E.’s unique national and regional expertise in the design and delivery of defence and resilience training.

The collaboration supports our growing international training portfolio, which currently includes the training of pilots in the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy and delivering collective training and wargaming expertise to NATO establishments in Norway and Poland.

We work with suppliers who use experienced subject matter experts with local and regional knowledge to deliver compelling solutions which fulfil our customers’ training requirements. We also add social value by contributing to local communities and delivering economic benefits from the creation of new, skilled roles in-country.

S.A.F.E. is a Belgian company which specialises in providing training capability development, infrastructure security and secure operations support solutions to defence organisations.

Aimee McGaughey, Managing Director for our Training Business, said: “Nations need to know their armed forces are equipped with the skills to complete their missions – and high-quality training needs to be delivered at pace.

“As a leading provider of training to the UK’s armed forces, we’re delighted to have signed this MOU with S.A.F.E. to target new opportunities, working with an innovative business where we can collaborate to deliver first class training in Belgium and other NATO member nations.”

Tom Hendrickx, Partner at S.A.F.E., added: “S.A.F.E. is excited to have signed this MOU with �鶹��ýӳ��. Together we form a strong international partnership supporting Belgian defence and NATO training activities. We look forward to working together.”

Pictured at BEDEX: Tom Hendrickx, Partner at S.A.F.E., Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, Anthony Pittman, Director for Collective Training, �鶹��ýӳ��

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The �鶹��ýӳ�� SME Engagement Charter builds on insights from the recent Next Line of Defence report, published by �鶹��ýӳ�� and the University of Exeter, which identified barriers to SMEs accelerating innovation and bolstering the UK’s long term defence resilience.

SMEs currently represent only around 4% of UK defence expenditure, limiting wider economic impact, access to world-leading technologies and sovereign capability. The Charter seeks to address these barriers by setting out practical, transparent, and measurable commitments championed by �鶹��ýӳ��, which encourage a more accessible, fair, and collaborative defence ecosystem.

Launched on the same day as a UK Government led round table discussion on industry engagement with SMEs in London, �鶹��ýӳ��’s 10-point commitment to SMEs outlines clear actions across six themes:

• Discover & Engage – Simpler engagement for SMEs to find opportunities and compete on their strengths.
• Contract – Proportionate contracts and prompt payment to give SMEs confidence and protect their IP.
• Validate & Pull Through – Aiming to provide accessible, secure testbeds to allow SMEs to trial innovations.
• Build & Scale – Mentoring and embedding expertise to help SMEs meet standards and grow sustainably.
• Industry Ecosystem – Continuing to champion defence as a modern, inclusive career path.
• Govern & Improve – Publicly tracked reporting.

Donna Sinnick, Chief Delivery Officer at �鶹��ýӳ��, said: “SMEs are vital to the defence industry, bringing agility, specialist expertise and rapid innovation capabilities that complement those of the larger defence primes. The �鶹��ýӳ�� SME Engagement Charter is a framework for change, which will provide significant opportunities for us to enhance SMEs experience working within the sector.“Injecting niche capabilities, creativity and pace, SMEs provide some of the key ingredients for maintaining a modern, sovereign, and technologically superior defence capability. By operating across regional clusters, they also stimulate local economies and help attract the next generation of skilled employees into the defence ecosystem”.

The Charter provides a vital bridge between policy ambition and practical delivery across the defence enterprise driving national capability and local growth.

Launched with the support of the industry trade body ADS group, its CEO Kevin Craven, said: “We welcome the SME Engagement Charter from �鶹��ýӳ��. SMEs play a central role in driving innovation, agility and specialist capability across the UK’s defence industrial base. Initiatives that seek to simplify engagement, improve commercial pathways and reduce barriers to entry are critical in helping SMEs maximise their contribution to national security and economic resilience.

“Continued collaboration of this kind will be essential in ensuring the UK maintains a modern, competitive and resilient defence ecosystem.”

By improving accessibility, speeding up routes to market, and creating proportionate commercial structures, the Charter aims to widen SME participation, enhance sovereign capability and stimulate regional economic growth, supporting the UK’s ambition to be a leading technology enabled defence power by 2035.

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�鶹��ýӳ�� Australasia Chief of Staff Leah Grantham has been appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

�鶹��ýӳ�� Group CEO David Lockwood thanked Andrew for his leadership and contribution to �鶹��ýӳ�� in a number of key roles, including the region’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer, saying: “Andrew has been a valued member of �鶹��ýӳ�� Australasia and on behalf of the company, I thank him for his commitment throughout his almost 11 years of service. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

Based at �鶹��ýӳ��’s regional head office in Adelaide, Leah has held senior leadership roles at �鶹��ýӳ�� over the past four years and brings more than 20 years’ experience across corporate strategy, corporate affairs and government and stakeholder relations.

David Lockwood said: “Leah’s background positions her strongly to lead the company in this forthcoming period, through an exciting window of growth and opportunity in Australia and New Zealand as the defence industry plays an increasingly important role in supporting the safety and security of the Australasian region.”

A recruitment process to appoint a new CEO is underway.

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FEPS are used by the Army to power tactical communications systems, lighting and support facilities, and other mission critical infrastructure when deployed on operations or training exercises.  As strategic support partner to the British Army, we provide maintenance and asset management for the Army’s critical vehicle fleets and equipment. Through this additional contract, we will now be responsible for the complete maintenance, repair and overhaul of FEPS power generators, as well as utilising our strategic asset management framework to deliver fleet availability and reliability when needed most.

We will deliver the national contract from three UK sites, which requires engineering and technical expertise, alongside bespoke equipment lifecycle management. The specialist teams, supported by our integrated capabilities, will ensure that the British Army’s equipment safeguards operational readiness and rapid deployment capability.

The British Army has some of the most powerful information and communication systems available, relaying complex and timely instructions across the globe and we will play a critical role in ensuring that this permanent need for power is delivered to the frontline.

Kate Robinson, Managing Director of our Through Life Equipment Support, said: “This contract supporting FEPS enables the British Army to operate and ensure that they have the power they need, when and where they need it. This new agreement strengthens our relationship with our customer and demonstrates �鶹��ýӳ��’s integrated approach to complex asset management, powering our Armed Forces on the frontline.”

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�鶹��ýӳ�� International Group (�鶹��ýӳ��), the defence company, Fife College and Forth Valley College are to accelerate the development of Scotland’s defence and advanced manufacturing workforce through a new joint skills pact outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the three organisations.   

The agreement strengthens the long-standing relationship between the organisations and comes as demand for engineering, digital and technical skills grows across Scotland’s strategically important defence and industrial sectors.

During Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we are proud to reflect on the MoU recently signed at our multi-milestone Type 31 event at our Rosyth facility, highlighting our joint ambition to provide high-quality, accessible apprenticeship opportunities. We had the privilege of Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, join us in celebrating.

He said: “This partnership demonstrates exactly what Scotland needs to ensure that its defence and advanced manufacturing sectors continue to thrive. By bringing together industry and academia, this joint skills pact will create meaningful opportunities for people across Fife and the Forth Valley, while strengthening the skills pipeline that underpins our shared security and national resilience. This is not just a partnership, but a great opportunity for young people in the area – opening the door to new opportunities.” 

�鶹��ýӳ��, Scotland’s largest engineering employer, already works closely with both institutions, which have provided engineering and technical training for employers across Fife and the Forth Valley areas for decades. The new agreement will boost the upskilling and reskilling of local people in critical STEM competencies and build the talent pipeline needed for national and international defence programmes based at Rosyth.

Gareth Hedicker, Chief Operating Officer for �鶹��ýӳ��’s Marine Sector, said: “This joint skills pact represents a major milestone in our collective commitment to build Scotland’s future workforce. By combining our industrial expertise with the colleges’ proven capability in technical education, we are creating clear, long-term pathways into high-value careers that support national defence and advanced manufacturing programmes.”

Kenny MacInnes, Principal for Forth Valley College, said: “Forth Valley College has a well‑established reputation in engineering, digital and technical skills, built through years of working closely with industry partners. By collaborating with employers such as �鶹��ýӳ�� to understand their evolving needs, we create innovative training solutions that support a skilled workforce for the future. Defence and advanced manufacturing are critical growth sectors for Scotland, and this collaboration demonstrates exactly how effective partnerships between colleges and industry can drive economic impact locally and nationally. We are delighted to be part of this partnership and to play our role in helping these vital industries thrive.”

Jim Metcalfe, Principal for Fife College, said: “This strategic agreement is a significant step in strengthening Scotland’s defence and advanced manufacturing workforce. At Fife College, we are proud of our long-standing partnership with �鶹��ýӳ�� and the role we play in developing skilled engineers, technicians and digital specialists alongside our partners at Forth Valley College. Reinforcing this partnership is a key pillar of our strategy to support defence and advanced manufacturing skills at Rosyth and the Forth Green Freeport. By aligning our curriculum even more closely with industry need, we are creating pathways into high-value careers and boosting the regional economy.”

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Coinciding with World Engineering Day on 4 March, the Bristol event is part of our national Festival of Engineering series of events, which are also hosted in Rosyth in Scotland and Plymouth, and aimed at inspiring future engineers and technologists.

Split into special activity zones, pupils were encouraged and inspired to take part in puzzles and experiences including a boat buoyancy challenge, coding, and seeing an awe-inspiring flight simulation.

Delivered by our apprentices and graduates, the Festival of Engineering is a collaboration of regional industry partners and schools, working together to highlight the importance and breadth of STEM careers.

A special appearance at the event by Bristol Bears women’s rugby player, Ella Lovibond, and Jo Passingham, CEO of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, provided the perfect role models for the aspiring engineers. As a university graduate with a first class degree in engineering, Ella spoke about her passion for the subject while Jo outlined the importance of attracting more people into the sector and the opportunities that it presents.

Neil Young, our Global Engineering Capability Director, said: “The industry is facing a significant shortage of engineers, which is why events like this are so important. This event is about breaking down barriers and showing how the incredible world of engineering impacts and improves all of our lives.

“Hopefully by encouraging pupils with fun and interesting challenges, they will consider choosing STEM-based subjects as they journey through their education.  

“The �鶹��ýӳ�� Festival of Engineering is the perfect way to spark that interest.”  

Jo Passingham added: “It’s a privilege to be working with �鶹��ýӳ�� to raise awareness of the importance of engineering at the grassroots level. Engineers are creators and some of the world’s most important and iconic attributes exist because of them.”

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The University of Plymouth is also supporting the programme as a specialist partner.

Since launching in 2024, Tech South West’s flagship Growth Forge programme has supported over 110 companies – of varying sizes and from a number of different sectors – on their growth journey.

This is the first specialist cohort focused on marine autonomy and is being launched just months after Plymouth was designated as the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy. The South West is also increasingly being acknowledged as the UK’s leading hub for advanced marine technologies.

Andrew Munday, our Global Technology Director said: “This partnership with Tech South West underpins our commitment to support and ultimately integrate the most forward‑thinking SMEs into the wider capabilities we deliver for our customers.”

“With our investment and long‑standing presence in the region, we are enhancing existing marine autonomy initiatives, driving economic growth and strengthening the resilience of our local communities. Collaborating on next‑generation marine autonomy means we are directly investing in growth in the UK and building a safer, more secure world for all.”

The new programme builds on our existing partnership with the University of Plymouth, and our shared role within Team Plymouth, the collaborative initiative launched following the UK Defence Growth Deal.

The accelerator programme reflects our joint commitment to advancing marine autonomy and strengthening collaboration between defence, research and industry.

Dan Pritchard, Co-Founder of Tech South West, said: “Bringing together �鶹��ýӳ��’s defence expertise and the University of Plymouth’s research capabilities, creates something genuinely unique for founders. Working as part of a focused group, and directly alongside a major defence company, will bring real benefits to everyone involved. Accelerating innovation, defence procurement, regulatory frameworks and accessing testing facilities, we’ll be providing an array of targeted opportunities.”

Professor Kevin Jones, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Plymouth, said: “As a University, we have a long track record in using our expertise to foster innovation, and advances in marine autonomy and dual-use technologies are unlocking opportunities across the region and nationally.

“We are committed to working together with our partners across Team Plymouth and the National Centre for Marine Autonomy, to support businesses of all shapes and sizes to grow and make the most of the possibility now coming their way.”

The programme is now accepting applications from across the UK. Running through the year, participating companies benefit from intensive support via Growth Days and online, including learning modules, peer groups, partner expertise, investor readiness, Investor Day, growth assessment tools, and expert growth coaches and mentors. The programme is open to companies already operating in the marine sector as well as those looking to move into this high-growth area.

Companies are invited to apply to attend three Growth Days bringing participants together for intensive workshops, networking and expert input:

●           March 18 – Exeter Science Park

●          June 24 – University of Plymouth

●          September 15 – Future Space, University of the West of England

The programme culminates in an Investor Day in October 2026, where companies can pitch to investors.

Between Growth Days, companies benefit from:

●           Structured online learning modules

●          Peer group sessions

●          One-to-one mentoring

●          Access to growth assessment tools

●          Support from dedicated growth coaches

●          Expertise from partners and maritime sector leaders

Other partners across the full Growth Forge Programme include Microsoft, Program Agency, Ashfords, Howden and Westcotts.

For more details and to apply:

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The 2026 Open Days will be held on Thursday 23 July – for those working across the co-located Dockyard and Naval Base and their families – and Friday 24 July for members of the public, shining a spotlight on the people, skills and sovereign capability that keep the Royal Navy operational and the country secure.

Devonport is the UK’s largest naval base and the sole site for the deep maintenance and refit of the Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines. Every day, thousands of highly skilled engineers, technicians and defence specialists work behind the walls of the historic site to maintain critical assets and ensure the fleet is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

Hosted jointly by �鶹��ýӳ�� and the Royal Navy, these events provide an excellent opportunity to welcome thousands of visitors to a unique workplace and provide them with a glimpse into how that mission is delivered, right here on Plymouth’s doorstep. The action-packed events will include an exciting range of hands-on STEM based activities to get involved with, as well as unique experiences to enjoy, military assets to explore*, along with displays and demonstrations to watch.

John Gane, Managing Director of �鶹��ýӳ��’s Devonport facility, said: “It is fantastic that we’re opening our gates again this year. As one of Plymouth’s largest employers operating a site that is such a significant part of the city’s heritage, we’re proud to be able to offer our people and the local community another unique opportunity to experience the wide-ranging operations that take place here.”

Commodore Jane Roe, Naval Base Commander Devonport, added: “This year’s Open Days, run by the Royal Navy and �鶹��ýӳ��, provide an amazing opportunity for HMNB Devonport to come together once again and show what makes this place so extraordinary. It’s a chance to step behind the scenes, explore areas of the Naval Base and Dockyard normally out of reach, and meet the people whose skill and commitment keep our ships and submarines ready for operations around the world.”

Free tickets for the public day on Friday 24 July are now available via www.devonportopendays.com (up to 12 per family – six adults and six children) once reserved, your tickets will be emailed to you straight away. Tickets for the families day will be allocated separately.

This summer get ready to see how a fascinating historical site, that is a proud part of Plymouth’s heritage, continues to play a critical role in protecting the nation – today and for generations to come.

* subject to operational commitments

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Underlining the rapid pace of delivery across the programme and the maturity of the modern, modular construction approach, the ceremonial Steel Cut for HMS Bulldog marked the official start of build on the fourth of five Inspiration-class frigates, while the rollout of HMS Active saw the momentous emergence of the second frigate from the purpose-built ship assembly hall, ahead of entering the water for the first time.

Guests from the UK and beyond had the opportunity to see first‑hand the innovation and expertise driving the programme, as well as the world-class infrastructure and technology across our advanced manufacturing facility at Rosyth, that underpin the design and build activity.

With each ship, the lessons learned, practical knowledge and experience in sequencing, integration and supply chain management is further embedded into the programme, informing the planning and delivery of future builds. Design improvements arising from the first two ships are already enhancing build efficiency for ships three and four. Increased compartment and system outfitting in the manufacturing bays before the main blocks are assembled will help to reduce integration time in the build hall by making the most of earlier outfitting, supporting programme delivery times.

David Lockwood, CEO, �鶹��ýӳ��, said: “Delivering the Steel Cut for HMS Bulldog and the Rollout of HMS Active on the same day is a powerful demonstration of the drive and delivery focus of our Type 31 programme as we build the next modern, future ready fleet for the Royal Navy. These milestones show the maturity of our facility, the success of the design and build process, and the skill and dedication of our �鶹��ýӳ�� team.

“We are not only building a new class of ship at Rosyth, we are also at the forefront of a national endeavour that is strengthening the UK’s shipbuilding industry, supporting sovereign and allied maritime capability, while creating an advanced industrial footprint and expertise that will support the future of global shipbuilding for generations to come.”

The Type 31 programme plays a significant role in supporting the UK’s sovereign defence capability. With the majority of work taking place in Fife, Scotland, it is supported by a network of UK and international suppliers, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The programme sustains c.2,500 highly skilled jobs, deepens domestic expertise and strengthens the UK’s ability to design, build and integrate complex warships and export this knowledge.

Our Arrowhead 140 frigate design, on which the UK’s Type 31 ship is based, is also proving a continued success overseas. The design has already been selected by Poland for its Miecznik frigate programme and firmly established in Indonesia, where multiple Arrowhead 140‑based frigates are now in build, including two new design and build licences recently secured.

Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “These milestones show Scottish shipbuilding at its best. From starting construction for HMS Bulldog to rolling out the impressive HMS Active, this programme is delivering world-class warships for the Royal Navy and real economic benefits for communities across Scotland and the wider UK. 

“The frigates will serve our nation for decades to come, and the skills and infrastructure we’re building here will secure the future of Scottish shipbuilding for generations.” 

Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, said: “Today’s ceremony is testament to the skill, dedication and innovation of the workforce at �鶹��ýӳ�� – and a powerful symbol of Scotland’s enduring contribution to security in an uncertain world.

“�鶹��ýӳ��’s work to develop future talent by supporting apprenticeships and engaging with local colleges on skills is absolutely vital. But the company’s efforts to ensure that talent is retained in Scotland is even more crucial to our communities and our economy.

“Investing in shipbuilding and the wider defence sector is investing in the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers, ensuring Scotland remains a global leader in advanced manufacturing. That’s why the Scottish Government has provided more than £90 million to aerospace, defence, marine and space companies through enterprise agency funding since 2006.”

Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, said: “These milestones reflect the momentum, ambition and national commitment behind the regeneration of our future frigate force.  

“The Type 31 Inspiration class represents a major step forward in modernising our fleet. These are capable and adaptable ships, designed to give the Royal Navy the flexibility it needs in a fast-changing strategic environment.

“Their combat systems and modular design will allow upgrades throughout their life, ensuring they can meet both today’s threats and those we cannot yet see.”

The five versatile frigates will form a key element of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, undertaking missions including interception, intelligence gathering, defence engagement and humanitarian support. The first ship, HMS Venturer, celebrated her rollout from the purpose-built Venturer Building in mid‑2025, marking a major construction milestone. Most recently, the keel of HMS Formidable was laid in a ceremony at the end of last year, signalling the start of the third ship’s assembly phase.

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