Contract secures 800 Clyde jobs

AROUND 800 Scots jobs have been safeguarded after the Ministry of Defence signed a £287million contract for two more Royal Navy ships to be built on the Clyde.

The offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) will be built at the BAE Systems Govan shipyard before being floated to Scotstoun to be fitted out.

Defence Procurement Minister Harriet Baldwin, announced the contract to build HMS Tamar and HMS Spey on a visit to the yard yesterday.

The contract will boost the UK’s fleet of next-generation, river-class OPVs from three to five ships.

Mrs Baldwin said: ‘This contract will deliver two more modern offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Navy and safeguard vital shipbuilding skills and hundreds of jobs in Scotland.

‘The OPV programme is an important part of the Government’s £178billion plan to ensure our armed forces have the equipment they need.’ HMS Tamar and HMS Spey are expected to be delivered in 2019.

Like the other vessels in their class, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey will carry out counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and maritime defence operations. They are expected to be equipped with a 30mm cannon and a flight deck capable of receiving a Merlin helicopter.

Displacing around 2,000 tons, they will have a maximum speed of 24 knots and will be able to sail 5,500 nautical miles before having to resupply.

The MOD said that, as well as safeguarding around 800 shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde, the OPV programme will sustain additional jobs at more than 100 companies in the UK supply chain.

Tony Douglas, chief executive officer at the MoD’s defence equipment and support organisation, said: ‘This agreement will deliver two more offshore patrol vessels which the Royal Navy will use to protect the nation’s interest at home and around the world.

‘These modern ships will have a versatile flight deck, improved firefighting equipment and greater storage and accommodation than previous vessels, giving UK sailors a decisive advantage on a huge range of operations.’