Pioneering Royal Navy frigate takes to the water

HMS Venturer is the first of the new generation of Type 31 frigates

The Royal Navy's newest warship has taken to the water for the first time.

HMS Venturer is the first of five Inspiration class or Type 31 frigates that were ordered in 2019.

They will be used in disaster relief, board and search operations and also to intercept drug smugglers, the Royal Navy said.

Venturer was floated on the River Forth on Saturday, marking the end of the structural phase of construction before the vessel is fully fitted out.

During the 11-mile (18km) journey, the frigate was successfully lifted off a partly-submersible barge, the Royal Navy said.

The 5,700 tonne ship was brought out of its build hall for the first time in May

Tugs were then attached to tow Venturer back up the estuary to Babcock's Rosyth shipyard, where construction began in September 2021.

Sir Nick Hine, chief executive of Babcock Marine, said: "HMS Venturer's first entry into the water is a clear demonstration of UK sovereign capability in action.

"This latest milestone exhibits the excellent progress being made across our multi-build programme, which will see us deliver five complex warships for the Royal Navy within a decade."

Venturer, which is affiliated with the county of Essex, is expected to enter service in a couple of years' time, followed by Active, Formidable, Bulldog and Campbeltown.

The general purpose frigates, to be based in Portsmouth, will be equipped with a helicopter flight deck, a supersonic anti-air missile defence system, Bofors naval guns and a 4D radar system.