The United Kingdom is currently undertaking
ambitious plans to enhance its naval capabilities with a range of upcoming naval vessels which
focus on modernization, versatility, and advanced technologies. These vessels will play a crucial role in
safeguarding national security, projecting power, and maintaining maritime interests
across the globe. From advanced frigates to nuclear-powered
submarines and aircraft carriers, the United Kingdom's naval fleet is set to undergo a
significant transformation. Here’s a list of all the upcoming naval
vessels of United Kingdom. HMS Agamemnon: She is the sixth Astute-class
nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the Royal Navy, is currently under construction. Its keel was laid down on July 18, 2013, and
she is expected to be commissioned in the early 2024. She will be equipped with 38 weapons in six
torpedo tubes measuring 21 inches (533 mm). The submarine will have the capability to
launch Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles, which can reach a distance of 1,000 miles
(or 1,600 km), as well as Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes. HMS Agincourt, also referred to as Astute
Boat 7, is currently under construction as an Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine
for the Royal Navy. She is the seventh submarine in its class. Construction of Boat Seven commenced in May
2018, and she is anticipated to be ready for active duty by early 2026. Agincourt's PWR2 nuclear reactor is designed
to operate for the entire 25-year service life of the boat without requiring refueling. With the capability to replenish its air supply
and purify water while submerged, the submarine will have the ability to navigate around the
globe without resurfacing. It will be outfitted with the same armament
as HMS Agamemnon. HMS Dreadnought: She is a nuclear-powered
Trident ballistic missile-armed submarine currently being built for the Royal Navy. The construction of Dreadnought was initiated
on October 6, 2016. In December 2021, it was disclosed that the
submarine would incorporate navigation subsystems developed by Lockheed Martin. She will be armed with spearfish heavyweight
torpedoes and 8 to 12 Lockheed Trident II D5 SLBMs. She is scheduled to enter service in the early
2030s. HMS Glasgow: She is the first Type 26 frigate
to be built for the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. The Type 26 class of frigates will serve as
a replacement for the navy's existing thirteen Type 23 frigates and will function as a versatile
warship capable of conducting various missions such as anti-submarine warfare, air defense,
and general-purpose operations. Commissioning is expected to take place by
late 2026, followed by a work-up period to achieve initial operating capability. HMS Cardiff: She is the second Batch 1 Type
26 frigate being constructed for the Royal Navy. The first steel was cut on 14 August 2019. She is scheduled to enter service in 2028. Currently, HMS Cardiff is being built at the
BAE Systems shipyard in Govan, Glasgow, alongside its sister ships HMS Glasgow and Belfast. She is the second frigate to be produced as
part of a 3.7 billion euros contract for the construction of these three ships, which was
announced by the Ministry of Defence in 2017. HMS Belfast: She is the third Type 26 frigate
of the Royal Navy, and it is the second ship to bear the name after the capital city of
Northern Ireland, Belfast. The announcement of her name was made by the
First Sea Lord in September 2017, following a selection process conducted by the Ships'
Names and Badges Committee. The order for the current HMS Belfast was
placed on July 2, 2017. On June 29, 2021, the ceremonial cutting of
the first steel for the new HMS Belfast took place, with HRH The Duke of Cambridge participating
in the event. HMS Birmingham, HMS Sheffield, HMS Newcastle,
HMS Edinburgh, and HMS London are all the rest of the Type 26 Frigates which are planned
to be constructed. They are all scheduled to be commissioned
from 2030s onwards. HMS Venturer: She is the lead ship of the
Type 31 frigate-class that is currently being constructed for the Royal Navy. The construction of the new ship commenced
with the cutting of the first steel on September 23, 2021, marking the beginning of the construction
process. These frigates are intended to provide a versatile
and cost-effective solution for the navy's surface fleet. She is designed to operate in various roles,
including anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and general-purpose operations. She is expected to be commissioned by 2025
providing the Royal Navy with a capable and flexible surface combatant. HMS Active: She is an upcoming Type 31 frigate
and will be the thirteenth vessel in the Royal Navy to bear that name. The construction of HMS Active commenced with
a significant milestone as a steel cutting ceremony took place on January 23, 2023, at
Rosyth Dockyard. The event was attended by notable individuals
and veterans who served on a previous vessel named HMS Active during the Falklands War. The construction of HMS Active will take place
within the Venturer Hall. HMS Formidable: She is a Type 31 frigate of
the Royal Navy and the sixth vessel to be named after the word "formidable”. Formidable, named after the World War II-era
aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (67), signifies carrier operations. The original HMS Formidable played a significant
role in various operations, such as the Battle of Cape Matapan, Operation Torch, attacks
on the German battleship Tirpitz, and engagements against Japan in the Pacific theater. Anyway she is scheduled to enter service by
2030. HMS Bulldog: She is a Type 31 frigate of the
Royal Navy and the eighth vessel to be named Bulldog. The selection of the name was based on key
themes representing the future plans of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The name Bulldog pays homage to the Second
World War B-class destroyer HMS Bulldog (H91), which played a significant role in escorting
convoys in the Atlantic. Construction of HMS Bulldog is reported to
be underway as of early 2023 and she is scheduled to enter service by 2030. HMS Campbeltown: She is a Type 31 frigate
of the Royal Navy and the third vessel to be named after the town of Campbeltown in
Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Campbeltown is named after the first ship
to bear the name, which played a pivotal role in the St Nazaire raid during World War II. The St Nazaire raid was a significant commando
attack on the occupied port of St Nazaire, resulting in the destruction of its dry dock
in 1942. The upcoming HMS Campbeltown is scheduled
to enter service by 2030.
