The Power Improvement Project (PIP) will enhance the
resilience of the Type 45 class by installing additional
power generation sources in each ship. Delivered as a major
conversion project, the PIP will replace the two existing
generators with three larger units capable of delivering
the ships propulsion.
The contract has been awarded to BAE Systems, in
collaboration with BMT Defence services and Cammell Laird.
The physical conversion work will be conducted at Cammell
Laird’s ship yard in Birkenhead, Merseyside, sustaining
more than 100 highly skilled jobs.
The PIP contract covers the design and integration of the
technical solution, supply of equipment and physical
installation into all six Type 45 destroyers.
The contract forms part of Project Napier which was
established in 2014 and builds on the work carried out in
the first strand of the project, known as the Equipment
Improvement Plan which addresses the reliability of
existing equipment.
Director Ships Support at the MOD’s Defence Equipment and
Support organisation, Neal Lawson said:
This contract demonstrates our ability to collaborate
effectively with industry and I am extremely pleased with
how the team at DE&S have worked rapidly to meet
requirements.
The PIP will ensure the fleet of highly sophisticated
Type 45s can continue to be deployed successfully on
operations around the globe, protecting the UK’s
interests worldwide.
The Power Improvement Project demonstrates how the MOD is
delivering on the commitment as outlined in the last
Strategic Defence and Security Review, to provide a robust
solution to the power and propulsion issues observed in
Type 45.
The first of class conversion is expected to complete in
2021, with follow on ships completed during the early
2020s. The programme is dependent on the availability of
ships to undertake the conversion, balanced against the
Royal Navy’s standing and future operational commitments.
