RAF sub-hunting crews reinforced the importance of the work done by those building the Navy’s next-generation frigates on a visit to HMS Glasgow.
CXX Squadron operate the Poseidon P8-A maritime patrol aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth, working in tandem with the Royal Navy to keep watch on waters around the UK for any hostile threats.
The squadron is affiliated with Glasgow, the first of eight Type 26 frigates being built as the Navy’s front line of defence against underwater threats, taking over from the Type 23s later this decade. The two classes will work hand-in-hand with the Lossiemouth jets.
Glasgow is due to take to the water for the first time later this year when she’s ‘floated off’ on to a giant barge at BAE Systems’ Govan yard and lowered into the Clyde for subsequent final fitting out and testing.
Around 200 BAE workers responsible for the Type 26s were invited to hear from the P8 fliers about how Type 26 fits into the bigger defence picture, how the Poseidons operate and why it’s crucial for the sake of the nation that the state-of-the-art aircraft and warships operate together flawlessly.
Between briefings for the BAE team, assisted by Commander Phil Burgess, Glasgow’s Senior Naval Officer, the aircrew toured the frigate on the hardstanding, taking away glimpses of life at sea and the impressive anti-submarine warfare capabilities the Type 26 will bring.
“We were really pleased to bring another Poseidon crew down to the Clyde yards. It’s a great opportunity for the RAF and Royal Navy to better understand each other, and it's very interesting to see first-hand the challenges of building a warship” explained Flt Lt Blunn.
“The work in these yards is ultimately really important to us; the quieter the Type 26 is, the better we can both counter hostile submarines.”
