UK shipyard investigating possible sabotage on Royal Navy frigate under construction

The Royal Navy Type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow under construction at BAE Systems' River Clyde facilities in Scotland (Photo: Royal Navy)

The BBC reports that a UK defence shipbuilder has launched an investigation into a possible incident of sabotage targeting a future Royal Navy vessel while it is still under construction.

BAE Systems said it has begun an inquiry into “intentional damage” at its facilities in Scoutstoun on Scotland’s River Clyde where fitting out is underway on the future HMS Glasgow, the lead ship of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 or City-class frigates.

Earlier this week, BAE Systems personnel discovered some of the cables on the future Glasgow appear to have been “damaged intentionally,” a spokesperson for the company said.

Over 20,000 cables for various uses such as electrical power distribution and data communication are to be installed on the frigate.

The spokesman clarified that only a “limited number” of cables were identified as having sustained the supposedly intentional damage.

Work on the future Glasgow has been paused temporarily to allow a full internal investigation to proceed with assistance from suppliers. The investigation also entails inspecting every area of the vessel.

BAE Systems also assured that construction has resumed and an assessment will determine the scope of the repairs that need to be completed.


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