An investigation into the 'intentional damage' of a Royal Navy warship at a Glasgow shipyard on the Clyde has been launched.
Defence contractor BAE Systems said the work carried out on the HMS Glasgow had to be delayed after around 60 cables were cut on the Type 26 frigate.
The UK Defence Journal has revealed that the alleged sabotage may have been carried out by a contractor as part of a payment dispute, reports the Express.
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The motive for the damage has not been confirmed by BAE Systems. The firm said work had now resumed and an assessment was in progress "to scope the repairs needed".
A spokesman said: "We uncovered a limited number of cables on HMS Glasgow earlier in the week, which appear to have been damaged intentionally.
"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."
HMS Glasgow is the first of eight Type 26 vessels being built for the Royal Navy as part of a £4.2billion contract from the UK Government.
It is understood that about 23,000 cables will be installed on the frigate - including data cables for communication and electrical cables to power the ship's systems.
A source at the yard told the UK Defence Journal that the "sabotage" had caught workers by surprise but said it will not delay the fitting out.
They added: "It's a testament to the spirit here – no matter what, we keep going. I don't think we’ll be set back by this."
The incident comes just after the warship made its first trip in December. The frigate was moved down the River Clyde on a specialist barge and lowered into Loch Long.
The next two Type 26 ships, HMS Cardiff and the HMS Belfast, are already under construction by BAE Systems on the Clyde.
In total, Scottish shipyards have orders to build 13 Royal Navy frigates. Eight Type 26s are being constructed by BAE Systems on the Clyde, while five Type 31 vessels are being built by Babcock at Rosyth in Fife.
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