The UK Royal Navy's first Type 31 or Inspiration-class frigate has been launched into the water for the first time at the Babcock International Group's Leith facilities in Scotland.
The future HMS Venturer will now be transferred to Babcock's Rosyth assembly hall, where it will undergo outfitting prior to the commencement of sea trials.
Once in service, the frigate will be used to conduct missions including counter-terrorism and counter-drug patrols and disaster response. It will have a 57mm naval gun, two 40mm autocannon, surface-to-air missiles, a helicopter deck, and space for three small fast boats for at-sea interceptions and boardings.
Babcock intends to deliver all five Type 31 frigates to the Royal Navy by 2028. These will replace the Type 23 ships and will be operated alongside the Type 26 or City-class frigates, which will be dedicated anti-submarine warfare platforms.
The design of the Type 31 ships was developed jointly by Babcock, naval architecture firm BMT and defence technology company Thales.