Defence Online

BAE Systems Invests in New Paint Facility at Glasgow’s Govan Shipyard to Accelerate Type 26 Production

Homeland July 21, 2026

Construction has begun on a new £3.3 million paint facility at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow, the latest in a series of infrastructure investments designed to modernise the site and accelerate production of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates.

The new 1,100 square metre fabric-covered structure, built in partnership with Norwegian construction company Hallgruppen, is large enough to paint four ship units simultaneously and tall enough to accommodate even the largest sections of the Type 26, including the bow and stern. By creating a dedicated painting facility, the investment frees up other areas of the Govan yard to focus on continuous production without interruption.

Part of a £360 Million Modernisation Programme

The paint facility forms part of a wider modernisation programme across BAE Systems’ Govan and Scotstoun yards in Glasgow worth more than £360 million. The investment programme is one of the most significant sustained commitments to shipbuilding infrastructure in Scotland in recent years and reflects the scale and long-term nature of the Type 26 programme for the Royal Navy.

Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, said: “The new paint facility is another important step in our continued investment in Glasgow’s shipyards, helping to modernise our infrastructure and improve production efficiency. By optimising the use of space at our Govan site, the facility will increase painting capacity and support the demands of our shipbuilding programme. This investment strengthens our ability to deliver the Type 26 frigates efficiently, at pace and to the highest standards of quality.”

Last year, BAE Systems opened the Janet Harvey Hall at Govan, a state-of-the-art ship build hall that allows two Type 26 vessels to be constructed in parallel under cover. Alongside the new paint facility, the company is also introducing digital technology across both yards, including tablets and kiosk screens on the shop floor to streamline production processes, alongside a range of further infrastructure and automation improvements.

Construction of the new paint facility is due to be completed later this year.

Type 26 and the Royal Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Capability

The Type 26 City-class frigate programme will provide the Royal Navy with its most advanced anti-submarine warfare capability, designed to protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent and maritime task groups against underwater threats in an increasingly contested environment. The ships also offer significant flexibility, with the ability to rapidly reconfigure to support medical facilities and humanitarian aid missions when required.

Eight Type 26 frigates are being built for the Royal Navy at Glasgow, with the programme sustaining thousands of highly skilled jobs across the city and a broad supply chain that extends across the UK.

Supply Chain and Industrial Significance

For the wider UK defence supply chain, the continued pace of investment at Govan is a strong signal of programme health and long-term delivery commitment. Infrastructure investment of this kind, focused on production efficiency and capacity rather than capability development alone, indicates a shipbuilding programme operating at scale and preparing for sustained output over a prolonged period.

For Scottish industry and the broader maritime supply chain, the combination of the Type 26 programme, the £26 billion naval base investment announced this week, and the ongoing modernisation of Glasgow’s yards represents a generational opportunity that extends well beyond the shipyard gates.

Image: BAE Systems

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.