Keel laid for Royal Navy’s first Type 31 frigate

The keel of the Royal Navy's first Type 31 frigate was laid in a ceremony in the Rosyth dockyard in Scotland on Tuesday, April 26.

The keel-laying comes seven months after the cutting of the first steel that will comprise the future HMS Venturer, the lead ship of the Type 31 series or Inspiration-class.

Once in service, the future Venturer will be used to conduct missions including counter-terrorism and counter-drug patrols and disaster response. It will have a 57-millimetre naval gun, two 40-millimetre autocannon, surface-to-air missiles, a helicopter deck, and space for three small fast boats for at-sea interceptions and boardings.

All five Type 31 ships slated for Royal Navy service will be built by the Babcock International Group.