The Defence Secretary Sir has announced the
signing of a contract worth around £3.7 billion to start building
the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigates.
Manufacture of the first three of these new highly capable
warships will secure approximately 1700 skilled shipbuilding jobs
in Scotland and 1700 jobs throughout the supply chain across
Britain until 2035.
Defence Secretary, Sir said:
“The Type 26 Frigate is a cutting-edge warship, combining the
expertise of the British shipbuilding industry with the
excellence of the Royal Navy. We will cut steel on the first ship
later this month – a hugely significant milestone that delivers
on our commitment to maintain our global naval power. These ships
will be a force to be reckoned with, there to protect our
powerful new carriers and helping keep British interests safe
across the world.
“Backed by a rising defence budget and a £178bn Equipment Plan,
the Type 26 programme will bring vast economic benefits to
Scotland and the wider UK. The contract is structured to ensure
value for taxpayers’ money and, importantly, now designed to
protect them from extra bills from project overrun. The
investment will secure hundreds of skilled jobs at BAE Systems on
the Clyde for the next twenty years, and thousands of jobs in the
supply chain across Britain. ”
These world-class warships will protect the nation’s nuclear
deterrent and the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers, the first
of which, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has recently taken to sea for the
first time. The ships specialise in anti-submarine warfare,
protecting the UK’s overseas territories and interests across the
globe. The flexible design will allow the capabilities to be
adapted throughout its lifespan to counter future threats.
The deal also reaffirms the commitment made by the Government in
the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR15) to build
eight Type 26 ships. The contract for the second batch of five
ships is expected to be negotiated in the early 2020s, paving the
way to sustain further jobs in Scotland and across the wider
supply chain for many years to come. The Type 26 programme will
secure the long term future of the Scottish shipbuilding
industry.
Admiral Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval
Staff, said:
“For an island nation, dependent on maritime trade, a strong
Royal Navy is essential for our national security and economic
prosperity. Today there are over 500 submarines in the world
operated by 40 navies. As one of the quietest and most potent
submarine-hunters of any Navy, the Type 26 will have a crucial
role to play to protect the nuclear deterrent and our two new
aircraft carriers.
“Although designed to fight and win in the most demanding
scenarios, they will also work alongside our international
partners to protect and promote the United Kingdom’s interests
around the world.”
The Type 26 will be the most advanced anti-submarine warfare ship
in its class around the world. The MOD is exploring potential
export opportunities where there is strong interest from
international customers.
The contract is specifically structured to motivate both sides to
deliver to a successful outcome where both parties share in the
pain and gain in the delivery of the programme. This will deliver
better value for money for the UK taxpayer.
The MOD spent £1.5 billion with Scottish businesses last year and
supports 9,700 jobs across Scotland. The Royal Navy’s new Queen
Elizabeth Carriers are being built in Rosyth and the new Offshore
Patrol Vessels are under construction in Govan and Scotstoun
ahead of this summer’s Type 26 Frigate steel cut.
