MoD Information

New Carriers for Royal Navy

Fri, January 31, 2003

Source: MoD Navy

Defence Sec announces that the Royal Navy's new generation of aircraft carriers will be built by an alliance between the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems/Thales UK

The Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced that the Royal Navy's new generation of aircraft carriers will be designed and built by an alliance between the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems/Thales UK.

Subject to detailed final negotiations, BAE Systems will take the leading position as preferred prime contractor, with Thales UK performing a major role as key supplier. The project will develop the carrier design put forward by Thales UK. The ships will be designed and built entirely in the United Kingdom, with shipyards at Babcock BES at Rosyth in Scotland, BAE Systems on the Clyde, Swan Hunter in the North East and Vosper Thornycroft at Portsmouth playing key roles, creating or sustaining around 10,000 jobs in the United Kingdom.

The two vessels, which are expected to displace around 60,000 tonnes each, will be the largest and most powerful surface warships ever built in the UK. They will be equipped with the world's most advanced stealthy and supersonic jump-jet, the Lockheed Martin F35.

Geoff Hoon said:

"Proposals put forward by BAE Systems and Thales UK have been considered carefully. Both proposals have significant strengths. We envisage that this strong alliance will allow us to combine the considerable capabilities and expertise of both contractors to ensure this important new capability for the Royal Navy is delivered to time and to budget.

This is excellent news for British industry. It will create or sustain thousands of jobs, not just at major defence suppliers but also in many small and medium sized companies across the United Kingdom."

The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said:

"These ships and their aircraft will enhance the Royal Navy's ability to be a powerful force for good in the world at great range from the UK and, most importantly, without host nation support. The joint air wing will be able to exert considerable influence on events over the land. It is important that these ships are brought into service on time in 2012 and 2015, and today's announcement brings that a major step closer."

The MOD approached both BAE Systems and Thales UK to discuss a possible alliance with the MOD on the programme. Both companies have accepted the logic of the approach.