An investigation has been launched into an alleged sabotage incident aboard a next-generation Royal Navy warship at a Scottish shipyard.
Dozens of cables on HMS Glasgow, which is expected to enter service in the late 2020s, were “intentionally damaged” according to BAE Systems, the main contractor responsible for building and outfitting the ship. Work on the vessel has now resumed after the discovery of possible sabotage this week.
HMS Glasgow, an anti-submarine warfare ship tasked with protecting the Trident nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers, is the first in a new series of Type 26 frigates and is being built at the Scotstoun shipyard on the River Clyde in Glasgow.
A spokesman for BAE Systems, Europe’s largest defense contractor, said: “We immediately launched an internal investigation, together with our suppliers, and temporarily halted work on the ship to inspect every area of the ship to ensure our high standards are met. standards and quality controls.
“Normal operations have now resumed and an assessment is underway to determine any necessary repairs.”
The UK Defense Journal, a military news website, suggested that the warship may have been sabotaged by a contractor in a payment dispute. BAE Systems did not confirm any reason for the damage.
The mandate of the investigation is expected to include the identification of those responsible, the understanding of how the perpetrators could carry out their actions and the design of measures on how to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
More than 60 cables were cut, according to the UK Defense Journal.
Approximately 23,000 cables will be installed on HMS Glasgow, including those that transmit data between the ship’s various systems, equipment and personnel.
The vessel is the first of eight state-of-the-art Type 26 frigates being built by BAE Systems in Glasgow. HMS Cardiff and HMS Belfast are also under construction.
The Type 26 frigate first entered the water late last year to be transferred to a barge at the Govan shipyard, before being transferred downriver to Glenmallan on Loch Long.
The barge was subsequently submerged, allowing the vessel to float and be towed back up the Clyde towards BAE Scotstoun where it is being further fitted out and tested.
HMS Glasgow’s flight deck will be able to accommodate helicopters the size of the RAF Chinook, while its loading dock will be able to be adapted to accommodate and deploy vessels, vehicles and containers.
There have been eight Royal Navy ships bearing the Glasgow name since the early 1700s, which between them have won 10 battle honors.