Investigation Underway After Deliberate Damage to Royal Navy’s HMS Glasgow.
The Royal Navy’s HMS Glasgow recently faced a significant setback at a Scottish shipyard as an estimated 60 cables were intentionally severed. BAE Systems, the defense contractor responsible for the vessel, has launched an inquiry to investigate the deliberate damage to the Type 26 frigate.
Currently stationed at BAE’s Scotstoun yard on Glasgow’s River Clyde, HMS Glasgow is the first of eight advanced Type 26 frigates under construction. In light of the incident, a BAE spokesperson confirmed that work on the ship was temporarily halted to facilitate the investigation.
Although the military news outlet UK Defence Journal suggested that the damage may be linked to a contractor embroiled in a payment dispute, BAE Systems has not corroborated any specific motives.
Upon discovering the damaged cables, a company representative stated, “We immediately launched an internal investigation, alongside our suppliers, and temporarily paused work on the ship to inspect every area of the vessel and ensure our high standards and quality controls are met.” Work on the frigate has since resumed, and an ongoing assessment is determining the extent of the repairs required.
HMS Glasgow, which contains approximately 23,000 cables responsible for communication and powering the ship’s systems, had its maiden voyage in December. After being transported down the River Clyde on a specialized barge and launched into Loch Long, the frigate was towed back to the Scotstoun yard for further outfitting.
BAE Systems is also constructing the next two Type 26 ships, HMS Cardiff and HMS Belfast, on the River Clyde. In November, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a £4.2 billion contract awarded to BAE Systems for the construction of five additional Type 26 frigates, bringing the total number of Royal Navy frigates being built in Scottish shipyards to 13. This includes eight Type 26 vessels constructed by BAE Systems on the Clyde and five Type 31 ships built by Babcock at Rosyth in Fife.
