Engineering news
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded A&P Group in Falmouth a £15 million contract to install high-end military capabilities in four new tankers so that they are ready for operations by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The contract, which will see the creation of 16 new jobs, including six new apprenticeships, will help secure 350 jobs on the site.
The four new Tide-class tankers are currently being built in South Korea. They will be tasked with providing fuel and other supplies to the Royal Navy vessels around the world, as well as enabling the Royal Navy to refuel ships at sea.
Minister for defence equipment support and technology, Philip Dunne, said: “The vital customisation work being done in the UK on the Tide-class tankers will enhance these vessels with state of the art equipment, including communications systems, ballistic protection, and upgrading to allow quick fit of self defensive weapons.
“This investment will provide the Royal Fleet Auxiliary with a world class tanker capability which in turn will benefit the Royal Navy by supporting its current and future warships on operations around the globe, including the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.”
Andy Shaw, A&P Group managing director, added: “The contract is significant for A&P Falmouth where the majority of the works will be undertaken utilising the company’s deep water facilities and heavy engineering infrastructure.
“The contract also provides A&P group’s port business, Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company, (the Statutory Harbour Authority), with additional business streams and enables it to progress with its ambitious growth strategy.”
The contract decision has been welcomed by the GMB union, it said: “This is great news for the A&P Falmouth dockyard workers who have suffered some tough times over the last few years.”
A&P Group, one of Europe’s leading ship repair companies, is a major provider of marine engineering services to the UK MoD and overseas navies. A&P Group operates seven dry docks in the UK.