Engineering news
BAE Systems will build three new Offshore Patrol Vessels on the Clyde under a £348 million contract which will secure over 800 jobs, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
The vessels, which will be used by the Royal Navy to support the UK interests at home and abroad, will be built at BAE Systems' shipyards.
The shipbuilders who will work on the new vessels are currently involved in manufacturing the second of two aricraft carriers for the MoD.
Defence secretary Michael Fallon said: "UK warships are only built in UK shipyards. This multimillion-pound contract shows our commitment to investing in new ships for the Royal Navy and maintaining in the UK the expertise needed to build the warships of the future.”
The MoD declined to comment on whether a Yes vote in the independence referendum would have any bearing on the contract.
"The Government is not planning for independence and is not making any contingency plans," a spokeswoman said.
Featuring a redesigned flight deck to operate the latest Merlin helicopters as well as increased storage and accommodation facilities, the offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) build on the capability of the Royal Navy's current River Class vessels.
The first OPV is expected to be handed over to the Royal Navy in 2017.
Mick Ord, managing director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: "This is a significant contract award which marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for the UK shipbuilding sector.
"We're making major investments in our people, technology and facilities to create a world-class complex warship capability and the OPVs provide an opportunity to embed these new ways of working.
"This will ensure we remain competitive and are best placed to secure the Type 26 manufacturing contract, which together with the investments will sustain the long-term future of this highly skilled industry."