Britain begins construction of $1bn frigate HMS Birmingham, which can carry Tomahawk and AGM-158C LRASM missiles

The Glasgow shipyard has started construction of the frigate HMS Birmingham. It will be one of eight Type 26 class ships.

Here's What We Know

The start of construction of the ship was announced by the Royal Navy's press service. Work on the frigate is taking place within the Global Combat Ship (GCS) project. The cost of the new ship is estimated at £840m ($1bn).

HMS Birmingham will be 150 meters long, 21 meters wide and have a displacement of 8,000 tons. The frigate will have a speed of about 48km/h and a range of about 13,000km.

The ship will be capable of launching AGM-158C LRASM anti-ship missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles. A 24-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system is provided for this. The frigate will also receive the Sea Ceptor air defence system.

HMS Birmingham is equipped with two Phalanx CIWS 30 mm anti-aircraft artillery systems and a Mk 45 62 caliber naval gun. Two Wildcat or AgustaWestland Merlin helicopters will be available aboard the ship.

The Type 26 class frigates will feature low acoustic signature. They will be used for fighting against enemy submarines and defending aircraft carriers of Queen Elizabeth class. The first Type 26 ship will be HMS Glasgow. Photos and video of the shipyard where construction is taking place can be viewed below.

The first batch of Type 26 class frigates, along with HMS Glasgow, will include HMS Cardiff and HMS Belfast. But HMS Birmingham will appear in the second batch along with HMS London, HMS Newcastle, HMS Edinburgh and HMS Sheffield.

Source: Royal Navy