As part of his nationwide tour of UK shipyards, Defence
Secretary Sir paid a visit to A&P
Tyne near Newcastle today, one of the yards that could be involved
in building a new class of ships for the
Royal Navy.
The MOD spent £400 million with UK industry in the North East
last year, £150 per person, supporting over 2,600 jobs in the
region. A&P Tyne have played a crucial role in major defence
programmes, such as building blocks for the UK’s new aircraft
carriers and key parts for nuclear submarines. The company also
maintains support ships, including Mounts Bay that was
instrumental in the relief effort following Hurricane Irma.
Following the launch of the Government’s National Shipbuilding
Strategy last month, industry has developed over 20 different
proposals for new Type 31e frigates. A&P are involved in one
of the early plans with Cammell Laird and BAE Systems to deliver
the new class of ships.
Shipyards across the country were invited to provide initial
high-level proposals to build the initial order of five ships at
a maximum average price of £250 million each. The Defence
Secretary has personally committed to attend every major UK
shipyard in the run up to the start of the formal competition to
procure the new class of Type 31e in the New Year.
Defence Secretary Sir said:
It is very encouraging to witness the renaissance of
shipbuilding around the UK first hand. Having helped build our
new aircraft carriers and the Astute Class submarines, A&P
Tyne have the skills and expertise to bid for our brand new
class of frigates.
The whole industry is clearly excited about the opportunity to
build cutting-edge ships for our growing Royal Navy, which will
protect our nation and interests across the world.
From building blocks for the innovative modular construction of
the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers, which were
assembled in Rosyth, to providing key parts for the Astute
nuclear submarine programme, sustaining jobs and bringing work
worth some £7 million to the region, A&P Tyne have been
pivotal to UK defence.
The Defence Secretary was given a guided tour of the
Hebburn-based yard which employs 300 workers including 11 new
apprentices and boasts the largest dry dock on the north-east
coast of England. With the commitment to build the Type 31e
warships in the UK, A&P have the opportunity to compete for
this latest programme to build ships for the Royal Navy.
The frigates will be designed to meet the needs of the Royal
Navy, but also with the export market in mind. The Government
will work with industry to provide support to become
internationally competitive, boosting the UK economy and jobs,
while also helping to create a more stable and well-protected
world.
Having already paid visits to Cammell Laird in Merseyside,
Harland and Wolff in Belfast and Ferguson Marine on the Clyde,
the Defence Secretary has carried out extensive engagement with
industry in recent weeks. Sir Michael also visited BAE Systems’
Scotstoun yard in Glasgow for the naming of the latest Offshore
Patrol Vessel, HMS Medway, and Babcock in Rosyth for the naming
of the second aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, in further
engagement with UK shipyards.
