AN INQUIRY has been launched into “intentional damage” of a Royal Navy warship at a Scottish shipyard.
Defence contractor BAE Systems said that repairs were being assessed after around 60 cables were cut on HMS Glasgow.
The Type 26 frigate is currently being fitted out at BAE’s yard at Scotstoun located on the River Clyde in Glasgow.
Military news website UK Defence Journal first reported the incident with BAE Systems yet to confirm any specific motive for the damage.
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A BAE spokesperson said: “We uncovered a limited number of cables on HMS Glasgow earlier in the week, which appear to have been damaged intentionally.
“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.”
The firm said work on the ship had now resumed and that an assessment was under way to “scope the repairs needed”.
It is understood that around 23,000 cables will be installed on the frigate – including data cables for communication and electrical cables to power the ship’s systems.
The incident comes after HMS Glasgow made its first trip in December when it was moved on to a specialist barge down the River Clyde and lowered into Loch Long.
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The next two Type 26 ships, HMS Cardiff and HMS Belfast, are already under construction on the Clyde.
Last November, Rishi Sunak announced BAE Systems had been awarded a £4.2 billion contract to build five more Type 26 frigates on top of the three already under construction.
Eight Type 26s are being constructed by BAE Systems on the Clyde while five Type 31 vessels are under construction by Babcock at Rosyth in Fife.
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