Global Combat Ship

Business Maritime UK

The Global Combat Ship will be a highly capable and versatile multi-mission warship designed to support anti-submarine warfare, air defence and general purpose operations anywhere on the world's oceans.

Overview

With the design and development underpinned by battle proven pedigree of Royal Navy warships, the Global Combat Ship will be capable of undertaking a wide range of roles from high intensity conflict to humanitarian assistance. It will be capable of operating independently or as a key asset within a task group.

All variants will share a common acoustically quiet hull and will take full advantage of modular design and open systems architecture to facilitate through-life support and upgrades as new technology develops. This will ensure the Global Combat Ship remains relevant to future maritime demands and delivers an adaptable design with the ability to accommodate sub-systems to meet individual country needs.

Programmes

City Class Type 26 frigate

The UK programme to develop the Type 26 Global Combat Ship for the Royal Navy is underway. A joint team of engineers from BAE Systems and UK Ministry of Defence is working to mature the detailed design and support solution for the 8-ship programme. The Type 26 will replace the UK’s Type 23 frigates, with the first set to enter service in the 2020s and the last remaining in service beyond the middle of the century.

Hunter class frigate

BAE Systems Australia is leading the largest ever surface ship project in Australia’s defence history – the design and build of six Hunter class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. The Hunter Class Frigate Program is transforming Australia’s shipbuilding industry by supporting the building of a world-class, continuous naval shipbuilding capability. It will create and sustain more than 5,000 jobs at BAE Systems and the wider Australian defence supply chain over the life of the program, including up to 1,000 apprentice and graduate roles.

River class destroyer

Canada has selected the BAE Systems Type 26 design for the River class destroyer under a subcontract from Lockheed Martin, Canada. BAE Systems is the warship designer for the 15-ship programme for the Royal Canadian Navy in an initial three-year contract. Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is the nominated shipbuilder.

In Aug 2025, the Norwegian Government announced its intent to procure at least five Type 26 frigates as part of a strategic defence partnership with the UK.

Partnerships

BAE Systems has a proven track-record in licencing warship designs and combat systems to international customers and partners, enabling local build which enhances skills and improves in-service support.

BAE Systems has committed to working with prospective international partners to learn more about their requirements and ensure these can be met by the Global Combat Ship design. Sufficient commonality will be retained to create opportunities for sharing training, operational experience and shipbuilding skills, each of which offers enormous value in bringing friendly maritime nations together.

Mission capability

Versatility of roles is enabled by the Integrated Mission Bay and Hanger, capable of supporting multiple helicopters, UUVs, boats, mission loads and disaster relief stores. A launcher can be provided for fixed wing UAV operation and the Flight Deck is capable of landing a Chinook helicopter for transport of embarked forces.