New shipbuilding contract for Clyde

A MAJOR shipbuilding contract is set to be awarded to Scotland, it emerged last night.

At least five frigates are expected to be built on the Clyde, on top of eight Type 26 combat ships at Govan and Scotstoun.

The Mail has also learned that a new squadron of Typhoon jets will be based at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.

The details emerged as Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visited Edinburgh. He said the future of the Trident nuclear weapons system ‘should be an election issue’.

‘We stand alongside the Scottish trade unions in wanting to see those jobs and skills retained in Scotland,’ he added, in a pitch to disgruntled Labour voters. ‘There are 17,000 nuclear weapons out there, this is no time to be abandoning our own defences.’

Mr Fallon addressed the Scottish Conservative conference the day after he confirmed £642million will be invested in developing the new generation of nuclear-armed submarines.

He used his speech to announce the UK Government’s ‘preferred option’ is to base a new squadron of Typhoon jets at RAF Lossiemouth, although the Mail understands a formal announcement is imminent.

Last year, the Tories were accused of ‘ betrayal’ after plans to build 13 Type 26 combat ships were watered down. Instead, eight will be built and a new type of frigate will be developed, with at least five to be constructed. There was no guarantee this would happen north of the Border, but the Mail understands the contract is now set to be awarded to Scottish shipyards.