WORK started on the Royal Navy frigates which will secure the future of shipbuilding on the Clyde for the next two decades.

The Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, performed the steel cutting ceremony for the first of the new Type 26 Frigates, which will be named HMS Glasgow.

The cutting of steel marks the end of a long period of delays and the downgrading of the initial agreement to build 13 frigates at the Clyde yards down to eight and five smaller Type 31 ships.

The MoD said the contract is for the first three ships worth £3.7bn and securing 4000 jobs in both the shipyards and the wider supply chain.

Mr Fallon said the ships would be built in batches and an announcement on the Type 31s would be made soon.

He said: “This the first batch of three from the contract.

“We will then learn more about the costs involved in the first three to be able to negotiate the next contract for the next five in stage two. That’s the way ship orders are done.

“There will then be five lighter ships, not anti-submarine frigates which will then follow on the eight anti-submarine frigates so we will keep up with the number that the fleet needs.

“We are hoping to announce our shipbuilding strategy as to how the Type 31’s will be built. You will recall the carriers were built in blocks around the country in different yards and who is able to bid for that we will be announcing that shortly. The shipbuilding strategy was delayed slightly by the General Election but we it will not be long now.”

Mr Fallon said the ships will be designed for a service life of at least 25 years and will form a backbone of the future Royal Navy surface fleet into the 2060s.

The first ships from the contract will begin to enter service in the middle of the next decade providing support and protection for the aircraft carriers and the UK’s submarine based nuclear deterrent

Politicians in Glasgow welcomed the work finally getting underway on the Type 26 frigates but called for further longer term guarantees for the workforce.

Chris Stephens Glasgow South West MP which covers Govan shipyard said an early announcement on the Type 31s was needed.

He said: “I am delighted that steel is finally being cut on the Type 26 frigates programme.

“This is a victory for Parliamentary and Trade Union pressure. What is now required is an early statement on the procuring of Type 31 frigates that could guarantee shipbuilding on the Clyde for decades to come.”

Tony Douglas, Chief Executive of the MOD’s procurement organisation said: “This is a very proud moment for all of those who have worked so hard to get the manufacture of the Type 26 underway.

“With the first steel cut today in Scotland and further work spread out across the UK supply chain the Type 26 programme is truly a national endeavour harnessing all our skills and knowledge to produce the best possible ships for the Royal Navy.”

The contract also helps secure the future of the BAE apprenticeship programme which as 260 young people in various shipbuilding trades and professions. This year another 40 have being taken on and are about to start their careers on the new ships on the Clyde.