BAE investigating alleged sabotage of next-generation Royal Navy warship

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An investigation has begun into an alleged incident of sabotage onboard a next-generation Royal Navy warship at a Scottish shipyard.

Dozens of cables on HMS Glasgow, which is expected to enter into service in the late 2020s, were “damaged intentionally” according to BAE Systems, the main contractor responsible for the construction and fitting out of the ship. Work has now restarted on the vessel after the discovery of possible sabotage this week.

HMS Glasgow, an anti-submarine warfare vessel tasked with protecting the Trident nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers, is the first of the new series of Type 26 frigates and is being built at the Scotstoun shipyard on the River Clyde in Glasgow.

A spokesperson for BAE Systems, Europe’s biggest defence contractor, said: “We immediately launched an internal investigation, alongside our suppliers, and temporarily paused work on the ship to inspect every area of the vessel and ensure our high standards and quality controls are met.

“Normal operations have now resumed and an assessment is under way to scope the repairs needed.”

The UK Defence 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 motive for the damage.

The investigation’s remit is expected to include identifying those responsible, understanding how the perpetrators were able to carry out their actions and devising measures on how to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

More than 60 cables were severed, according to the UK Defence Journal.

Approximately 23,000 cables will be installed on HMS Glasgow including ones that transmit data between various systems, equipment and personnel on the ship.

The vessel is the first of eight cutting-edge Type 26 frigates being built by BAE Systems in Glasgow. HMS Cardiff and HMS Belfast are also under construction.

The Type 26 frigate entered the water for the first time at the end of last year to be moved on to a barge at the Govan shipyard, before being moved downriver to Glenmallan on Loch Long.

The barge was subsequently submerged, allowing the vessel to float off and be towed back to the Clyde towards BAE Scotstoun, where it is being fitted out and further tested.

HMS Glasgow’s flight deck will be able to accommodate helicopters up to the size of the RAF’s Chinook, while its loading bay will be able to adapt to house and deploy vessels, vehicles and containers.

There have been eight Royal Navy ships of the name Glasgow from the early 1700s, which between them have earned 10 battle honours.