Royal Navy to get three new warships in £1.6billion contract

A UK-led consortium has been chosen as the preferred bidder to build new support ships for the Royal Navy creating 1,200 new jobs in UK shipyards and hundreds more in the supply chainin a timely boost for the nation’s economy. The £1.6 billion contract will see final assembly for the three vessels – each the length of two Premier League football pitches – take place at Harland & Wolff’s shipyard in Belfast. Each of the vessels will be length of two Premier League football pitches (Image: MoD)They will be built to an entirely British design by Bath-based BMT which forms the rest of the Team Resolute consortium along with Navantia UK.Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the announcement was a “significant boost” to the UK shipbuilding industry.”By selecting Team Resolute, the Ministry of Defence has chosen a proposal which includes £77 million of investment into the UK shipyards, creating around 2,000 UK jobs, and showcasing cutting-edge British design,” he said.”Building on ambitions laid out in the National Shipbuilding Strategy, this contract will bolster technology transfer and key skills from a world-renowned shipbuilder, crucial in the modernisation of British shipyards.”Speaking during a visit to Appledore, he described the deal as a “feather in the cap” for Harland & Wolff’s yards in Appledore.He added: “Today’s announcement is £1.2 billion worth of investment in three major logistical ships that are designed to support both the carriers and warships at sea.”It’s a real feather in the cap for both Appledore and Belfast – shipbuilding is coming back to Belfast.”He said the “big investment” would lead to about 1,200 jobs and 800 new jobs in the supply chain for the United Kingdom.”I was determined with this contract, when we put it out to tender, the bidders had to commit to investing in the yards and the people, it’s not just about their bottom line,” Mr Wallace said.”It’s ultimately about how do we make Appledore and Belfast match fit for other contracts when Navy contracts are no longer there.”I was delighted that the skill base we found here on Appledore can do that, it’s a great yard with a great history and I’ll be delighted to see some huge parts of the ships being built here.”The contract is subject to final Treasury and ministerial approval.