British Royal Navy’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship

Images have been released of the Royal Navy's next-generation frigate - the Type 26 GCS (Global Combat Ship).
Set to replace the Royal Navy's Type 23 Frigates from 2020 onwards, the Type 26s will be tasked with a number of roles, primarily combat and anti-piracy work but also disaster relief and humanitarian operations.
The Type 23 Frigates were pressed into Royal Navy service between 1989 and 2002, with 16 built in all. Following the sale of three examples to the Chilean Navy, 13 Type 23s now remain with the Royal Navy.

Type 26 Global Combat Ship

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme represents a partnership between the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems and these new images give some indication of this highly advanced frigate's specifications.
Approximately 148 metres long, it will displace something like 5,400 metric tons of water and feature an array of armament. It will cruise at around 28 knots and have a 7,000 mile range and an endurance of 60 days, with 36 troops on board.
Vertically-positioned missile silos will be used to house a range of weapons including Sea Ceptor air-defence missiles, while there'll also be a medium-calibre gun and space on board to accommodate one AW159 Wildcat or Merlin HM2 helicopter and numerous unmanned vehicles including UUVs.

Royal Navy Type 26

"The Type 26 Global Combat Ship will be the backbone of the Royal Navy for decades to come", the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, explained in an MoD press release on the Royal Navy Type 26 GCS's launch. "It is designed to be adaptable and easily upgraded, reacting to threats as they change."
"The Type 26 Global Combat Ship will be a multi-mission warship designed for joint and multinational operations across the full spectrum of warfare, including complex combat operations, maritime security operations such as counter piracy, as well as humanitarian and disaster relief work around the world", added the Royal Navy's First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.
"It will be capable of operating independently for significant periods or as part of a task group and will play a major role in the defence of this country for many years."