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Scotland’s proud naval shipbuilding legacy has taken a bold step into the future with the official opening of the state-of-the-art Janet Harvey Hall at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Govan, Glasgow.
The vast new build hall, which is named in honour of Janet Harvey, one of the many women who stepped into critical industrial roles during the Second World War, was unveiled in a ceremony that celebrated both the city’s shipbuilding heritage and its enduring role in supporting the Royal Navy’s modern fleet.
Janet Harvey’s nieces joined Glasgow’s Lord Provost to cut the ribbon across the towering hall doors, officially opening the multimillion-pound facility and ushering in a new era for naval construction on the River Clyde.
Simon Lister, managing director of BAE Systems’ naval ships, said the Janet Harvey Hall marked a transformational milestone for the defence giant’s Glasgow operations, saying: “The Janet Harvey Hall marks a major step forward for shipbuilding in Glasgow and will help enable efficient and safe shipbuilding for decades to come. It’s a symbol of pride not just for our skilled workforce who bring these ships to life, but for the entire city.”
The hall is one of the most advanced shipbuilding facilities in the UK, capable of accommodating the simultaneous construction of two Type 26 frigates. Measuring 170 metres in length and 80 metres in width, it features two 100-tonne gantry cranes and an additional two 20-tonne cranes, enabling large sections of warships to be built and integrated entirely under cover.
Currently under construction inside the hall are HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham, while HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff are undergoing outfitting at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun facility further along the Clyde. Steel has also recently been cut for HMS Sheffield, the fifth vessel in the fleet.
Designed to accommodate up to 500 workers per shift, the hall allows uninterrupted construction regardless of weather conditions, a first for shipbuilding in Glasgow. This is expected to improve productivity, reduce delays, and enhance safety onsite.
Stephen Charlick, the Ministry of Defence’s DE&S Type 26 resident project officer, emphasised the strategic value of the new facility. “Protecting the United Kingdom and its interests from evolving global threats requires state-of-the-art vessels like the Type 26 frigate,” he said.
“The investment by our industry partner, BAE Systems, underscores the commitment to equipping our armed forces. The Janet Harvey Hall brings an improved approach to warship assembly and outfit, driving quality throughout the build and supporting regular delivery of vessels in line with Royal Navy need.”
The new build hall forms the centrepiece of BAE Systems’ £300 million investment to modernise and digitalise its shipbuilding infrastructure on the Clyde. This broader program is critical to delivering eight cutting-edge Type 26 Global Combat Ships for the Royal Navy, a class designed for anti-submarine warfare, high-endurance global deployment, and adaptable mission capabilities.
The opening of the Janet Harvey Hall reinforces Glasgow’s central role in the future of British maritime defence, while honouring the legacy of those who contributed to past victories. It also signals a renewed commitment to the skills, jobs, and industrial base that support the UK’s sovereign naval capability.
