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Celebrating Trafalgar Night at BAE Systems Scotstoun
Behind the Scenes: Being One of Ten Selected Suppliers for BAE Systems' Type 26 Warship
As one of BAE Systems’ Type 26 warship program key suppliers and one of a very select group of suppliers invited, it was an incredible honour to attend the 2024 Trafalgar Night dinner hosted at BAE Systems Scotstoun and a true mark of trust in our work. The opportunity to contribute to the UK’s next-generation frigate—the Type 26 Global Combat Ship—is a rare privilege and one that few companies get to experience. Recently, MARL representatives had the chance to tour the Scotstoun shipyard and even step aboard HMS Cardiff, the second ship in the Type 26 class. The visit provided an up-close look at the transformative impact this program is set to have on both defence and the industry itself.
Image: HMS Cardiff at BAE Govan, nearing launch. Credit: Dave Souza (Wikipedia source)
A Rare Glimpse into the Scotstoun Yard
Stepping into the Scotstoun yard was a remarkable experience in itself. This historic shipbuilding location, sitting on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow, is not only where the Type 26 is being built but also a site infused with over a century of shipbuilding history. The yard tour allowed us to see the various components of the ship at different stages of construction, from hull sections to the advanced machinery being installed. Each part of the ship is meticulously planned and crafted with precision. As a supplier, seeing this scale of production firsthand emphasised the importance of our contribution and the critical role each component plays in the overall success of the program.
A Memorable Evening at BAE Systems’ New Academy in Scotstoun
The atmosphere was thick with a mix of reverence and celebration as BAE Systems Naval Ships Managing Director Simon Lister hosted their annual Trafalgar Night dinner at their newly inaugurated academy in the historic Scotstoun shipyard. This event was not just a dinner; it was a plunge into maritime tradition, an homage to British naval history, and a nod to the legendary valour of Admiral Horatio Nelson and his crew in the Battle of Trafalgar.
Inspired by Pickle Night—the informal, camaraderie-filled tradition where sailors reflect on the loss of Nelson while celebrating the victory at Trafalgar—the BAE Systems team embraced both the solemnity and joy of this revered night. But this was no ordinary dinner; it was a living tapestry of naval history brought to life with tales, songs, and nautical ambiance.
The port glasses clinked in honour of Nelson, the shanties resumed, and the night wore on with laughter, storytelling, and reflection. In the end, the guests of the BAE Systems academy departed with a renewed respect for the sacrifices of those who came before and a sense of pride in the ongoing legacy of British naval tradition.
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