HMS Cardiff is the second Batch 1 Type 26 frigate to be built for the United Kingdom's Royal Navy.

[15] The Type 26 class will partially replace the navy's thirteen Type 23 frigates,[16] and will be a multi-mission warship designed for anti-submarine warfare, air defence and general purpose operations.

[4] The frigate is currently being fitted out at the BAE Systems Maritime in Glasgow, the second to enter production as part of a £3.7 billion contract for three ships announced by the MoD in 2017, preceded by her sister ship Glasgow.

[14] Like Glasgow, the frigate was built at the BAE Systems Maritime shipyard at Govan, then transferred onto the semi-submersible heavy-lift barge Malin Augustea CD01.

[17][18] A few days later, it was taken by tugs upriver to the BAE Scotstoun shipyard for fitting out.