BAE Systems' Type 26 - GCS is a multi-role warship designed for joint or multinational contingent operations across the full spectrum of warfare. Delivered in anti-submarine, air defence and general purpose variants, it will be capable of operating independently or as part of a task group.

The Type 26 is the future Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate that will replace the Royal Navy's 13 Type 23 frigates and other ships. The programme has been in development since 1998, initially under the designation "Future Surface Combatant (FSC)". The FSC concept was brought forward in the 2008 budget, at the expense of two Type 45 destroyers being cancelled.

In March 2010, a four year programme was launched to develop the UK Type 26 variant of the Global Combat Ship. The project comprises a joint BAE Systems, Ministry of Defence team, to evaluate capability, availability, exportability and support options leading to the development of a detailed specification for the ship and the design and development of its systems ready for manufacture.

Due to arrive from 2021 onwards with a go/no go decision due in 2013, the Type 26 Frigate will be the workhorse of the future Royal Navy. The ships are intended to replace not just existing Type 23 Frigates but also minehunters and survey ships. The vessels will be among the most versatile ever to sail under the White Ensign, serving as submarine-hunters, general duty warships, survey ships and mother ships for tomorrow’s mine warfare forces. Right now there’s an 80-strong team of naval and civilian engineers working on the designs in Bristol. By the mid-2030s the Type 26 will be the backbone and workhorses of the Royal Navy and should remain in service until the 2060s.

• Anti Submarine Warfare:
  The ASW variant incorporates low frequency active and passive sonars in addition to the standard hull mounted sonar to protect a maritime force against submarine threats.
  The flexible mission bay can then be configured to accomodate either three 9 metre sea boats or two 11.5 boats, in addition to the davit laucnhed boat in the boat bay.
  The ASW variant will also feature a medium range target indication and fire control radar, such as the BAE System's Artisan 3D, to provide detection and identification measures to support its warfighting capability.
• General Purpose:
  The mission bay is the center piece of the general purpose variant, providing a highly versatile space to meet diverse mission requirements. Capable of accommodating a range of sea boats, unmanned underwater vehicles, unmanned surface vehicles, it can fulfill maritime security, counter piracy and counter terrorist roles. It also has the ability to accommodate embarked forces and their equipment. Alternatively, it can house container stores to support humanitarian and disaster relief operations, or can be reconfigured to provide up to 84 additional berths for navies with larger crew sizes.
• Air Defence:
  The air defence variant incorporates a long range air surveillance radar as well as a medium and long range anti air missile system to protect a task force from air threats and enable the Frigate to contribute to maritime force projection.
  The modular design means that GCS can accomodate the radars and systems to meet each nation's requirements, whilst building on the proven capability demonstrated in the delivery of the UK's Type 45 destroyer.

GCS early concept

• Anti-ship missiles:
  TBA
• Anti-air missiles:
  CAMM (Common Anti Air Modular Missile)
• Guns:
  1x 4.5 inch Mark 8 gun (main gun)
  2x Phalanx (CIWS)
  2x 30mm Oerlikon KCB
• Anti-Submarine weapons:
  TBA

• Electronic equipment:
  TBA
• Optronics:
  TBA
• Radars:
  BAE Systems' Artisan 3D
• Decoys/Counter measures:
  TBA
• Sonars:
  TBA
• Navigation:
  TBA
• Communications:
  TBA