How Type 26 has struggled to get afloat
1998
The Type 26 programme for the Royal Navy begins, known as Future Surface Combatant
2005
Parliament is told the vessels could come in two sizes, with the smaller version in service in 2016 and the other in 2023
2009
Design reverts to one vessel, with first UK orders now expected in 2013, and an in-service date of 2020
June 2016
MPS are told the Type 26 will be ready by 2025 rather than 2020, as Ministry of Defence finances slowed development
February
The MOD says there will be “programme slippage” which has already cost £48m
November
It emerges that the first ship will be a year late at a cost of £233m, entering service in 2028