Babcock International Group has successfully completed the float-off of the UK Royal Navy’s second Inspiration-class (Type 31) frigate, HMS Active (F08). This significant ceremony took place at the company’s shipyard in Rosyth, Scotland, marking HMS Active’s transfer to a deep-water site where the vessel touched water for the first time.
In the coming months, the surface combatant will undergo final outfitting and a series of evaluations, setting the stage for its expected entry into service by 2028. Steve Ranyard, the Type 31 team leader at UK Defence Equipment & Support, expressed pride in the successful milestone. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of the entire team at Rosyth and the broader UK supply chain, noting that this achievement reflects the team’s dedication and professionalism in progressing toward the completion of a capable and versatile frigate for the Royal Navy.
This milestone follows a recent double achievement at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard, which saw the launch of HMS Active in February, along with the cutting of steel for the fourth ship in the Inspiration class, HMS Bulldog (F09). Currently, the Type 31 initiative supports approximately 2,500 skilled positions throughout the British supply chain, underlining the program’s significant economic impact.
All five frigates under the Type 31 initiative are slated for commissioning by the early 2030s, enhancing the Royal Navy’s operational capabilities across various domains, including combat, intelligence, and humanitarian missions. Cdre. Stephen Roberts, the senior responsible owner of the Royal Navy’s Type 31 program, emphasized the strategic importance of HMS Active. He described the frigate as a formidable defender of national security and a vital asset for NATO in today’s increasingly challenging global landscape. The float-off of HMS Active serves not only as a technical milestone but also as a powerful visual representation of the pride and significance of having world-class naval vessels at the ready to safeguard the nation.
