Alleged Sabotage Onboard Royal Navy Frigate HMS Glasgow

A group of disgruntled contractors allegedly interrupted the fitting out process of the Type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow by severing over 60 cables.

This was reported by UK Defence Journal today.

The suspected motive behind this act is said to be an issue related to payment disputes, although this cannot be confirmed.

The cables were discovered by BAE Systems, the main contractor responsible for the construction and fitting out of the frigate, during routine operational business practices.

“We uncovered a limited number of cables on HMS Glasgow earlier in the week, which appear to have been damaged intentionally,” a spokesperson for BAE Systems was quoted as stating by the outlet.

The alleged sabotage caused work on HMS Glasgow to come to a stop very briefly as investigators sought to identify the culprits and the root cause of their actions. Work resumed shortly after and crews are back onboard.

“We immediately launched an internal investigation, alongside our suppliers, and temporarily paused work on the ship to inspect every area of the vessel and ensure our high standards and quality controls are met. Normal operations have now resumed and an assessment is underway to scope the repairs needed,” the spokesperson said.

Approximately 23,000 cables will be installed on HMS Glasgow. They include data cables that provide a crucial role transmitting data between various systems, equipment, and personnel on the ship, and electrical cables which power the various systems within the ship.