In this guest article, Kamil Sadowski examines the Miecznik (Swordfish) programme which will see the Polish Navy introduce new frigates based on the Arrowhead 140 design, the basis of the Royal Navy’s Type 31. While sharing a common hull, Miecznik is more extensively equipped than its British cousin, although both share the potential to be enhanced by carrying off-board uncrewed systems.
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The Type 31 programme will reach a major milestone later this year with the rollout of HMS Venturer from the construction hall ahead of being lowered into the water. Here we summarise recent progress and near term plans.
At a ceremony held at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard today, work began on the third of the five ‘Inspiration’ class ships.More
Like all navies, the RN is seeking to reduce the number of sailors needed to operate its warships as qualified people are expensive and in short supply. While putting fewer people in harm’s way, a small crew can have limitations. In this article, we look at how the designers of the Type 31 frigate have balanced lean crewing with effective operation.
At a ceremony in Rosyth today, the keel was laid for HMS Active the second ship of the ‘inspiration class’. Here we provide a brief update on the project and present a short animation of the Type 31 in action.
Good progress has been made on constructing the first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer at Rosyth. The first 9 sailors of the ship’s company have joined the ship and will standby her in build, developing the standard operating procedures and routines for the new class of ship
Babcock recently unveiled how their Arrowhead 140 product, the parent design for the Type 31 frigate, could be significantly adapted to meet the RN’s Type 32 frigate requirement or modified for export customers.
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Speaking today at the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference, Admiral Sir Ben Key, confirmed the Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates will be equipped with the Mk41 VLS.
The recent news that some hull blocks for the second Type 31 frigate, HMS Active will be built a Poland has caused some controversy around warship construction work being done overseas. Here we look at this in context and summarise current progress with the Type 31 programme.