Thousands of jobs and apprenticeships are being supported through
warship building, as a major milestone was reached today in the
production of the Navy's future high-tech frigates.
Steel was cut on HMS Formidable, the third of the Royal Navy's
new Type 31 warships, at a ceremony in the Rosyth shipyard,
reinforcing the Ministry of Defence's commitment to shipbuilding
in Scotland.
All five frigates will be built in Rosyth, sustaining over 2,500
jobs in Scotland and across the wider supply chain. The work will
also create an additional 400 apprenticeship roles, driving
economic growth.
The five Type 31 frigates will support future maritime
operations, including interception and disruption of those using
the sea for unlawful purposes, intelligence gathering, defence
engagement and humanitarian support. They will also be able to
shoot down missiles and enemy air targets using a Sea Ceptor
missile system, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad.
The announcement comes ahead of the International Investment
Summit which will gather UK leaders, high-profile investors and
businesses from across the world to discuss how we can deepen our
partnership to drive investment and growth.
Attending the ceremony, Minister for the Armed Forces
said:
This government is committed to making Britain secure at home and
strong abroad. These frigates will be at the heart of the Royal
Navy fleet, deterring aggression and supporting our military.
Today's significant milestone is backing the government's mission
to grow the economy by supporting thousands of jobs in Scotland
and across the UK.
The programme is also a key element in the Royal Navy's
production line, sustaining and developing the British
shipbuilding industry.
The Babcock-built Type 31 fleet will be highly adaptable and
capable of rapid deployment, equipped with advanced radar,
communication systems, and a variety of armaments.
In a testament to the UK defence industry, Poland has selected
Babcock's Arrowhead 140 ship design – based on the Type 31
frigates – to equip its Navy with a new class of frigates. In a
further export boost, the design has been sold to Indonesia for
their own frigate production.
Royal Navy's Senior Responsible Owner for the Type 31
programme, Commodore Stephen Roberts, said:
This is a momentous occasion for all involved and we are proud to
have marked this significant milestone in this way.
When complete, this remarkable fleet of general-purpose frigates
will deliver an impressive capability for Royal Navy and play a
huge role in the continued security and prosperity of our nation.
The ships will have a top speed of over 26 knots – equivalent to
nearly 50 kilometres an hour – and accommodate a crew of around
100 personnel. They will replace the five Type 23 general purpose
frigates. Type 23 frigates have carried out a wide variety of
operations, from securing the UK's vital maritime trade routes
East of the Suez Canal to safeguarding British interests in the
South Atlantic.
Babcock's Chief Executive, Officer David Lockwood
said:
Today, we are proud to mark yet another milestone in this
important defence programme for the Royal Navy. These frigates
will play a significant role in protecting the UK and supporting
international partnered defence operations.
This programme is a real demonstration of UK sovereign
shipbuilding capability and is delivering positive economic
impact within Scotland and in communities across the UK. It
is a privilege for our teams across Babcock to be delivering
these platforms for the nation.
The Type 31 project is managed by Defence, Equipment and Support
(DE&S), the procurement arm of the Ministry of Defence.
DE&S' Head of Combat Ships Delivery Group, Mark
Beverstock, said:
I am delighted that work on the third ship in the Type 31
programme is underway. From maritime security patrols and
disaster-relief support, to intelligence gathering and defence
engagement, these ships will be at the heart of the Royal Navy's
surface fleet.
