Float-off process begins as HMS Cardiff prepares to enter the water for first time
HMS Cardiff, one of the Royal Navy's new Type 26 City-class frigates, is entering the water for the first time.
A team of engineering specialists transferred the vessel from the slipway at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard to a barge to begin the float-off process.
HMS Cardiff is being towed downriver to a deep-water location in the west of Scotland.
Once in position, and over a number of hours, the barge will be submerged and the anti-submarine warfare frigate will enter the water.
Cardiff will then return to BAE Systems' Scotstoun shipyard where she will undergo the next stages of her outfitting before her testing and commissioning.
BAE explained how the float-off process is a more modern, efficient and low-risk way for a ship to enter the water compared with sliding down a slipway into the water.
The float-off process was used for HMS Glasgow in November 2022 as well as the five offshore patrol vessels that BAE Systems also built in Glasgow.
HMS Cardiff is the fourth ship to be named in honour of the Welsh capital city, and has Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins as her official sponsor.
A Ship's Sponsor is an honorary title and role which historically served to bestow good luck and divine protection upon a ship.
It is often, but not exclusively, performed by royalty. The Princess of Wales is the sponsor of HMS Cardiff's sister ship, HMS Glasgow.
The Type 26 frigate is an advanced anti-submarine warfare warship that is designed to support joint and multinational operations across the full spectrum of operations including counter-piracy, humanitarian and disaster relief work.
Eight ships are being built under the programme, which are expected to enter service between 2028 and the mid-2030s.
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