SHIP SHIP HOORAY
£3.7bn contract signed for frigates to be built on Clyde
Work on the next generation of Navy warships will begin on the Clyde this month following the signing of a £3.7billion contract by UK ministers.
Three Type 26 frigates will be built by defence giants BAE Sys tems at Govan and Scotstoun, securing 1700 jobs in Scotland and a further 1700 across Britain, the Ministry of Defence said.
The submar ine hunter programme had been plagued by delays, with the MoD cutting the order from 13 to eight ships as their cost rose.
But work on the first three will begin in weeks, with the MoD saying the contract for the next batch of five ships is due to be negotiated in the early 2020s.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “The Type 26 Frigate is a cutting- edge warship, combining the expertise of the British shipbuilding industry with the excel lence of the Royal Navy.
“We will cut steel on the first ship later this month – a hugely signif icant milestone that delivers on our commitment to maintain global naval power.
“These ships will be a force to be reckoned with, there to protect our powerful new carriers and helping keep British interests safe across the world.
“Backed by a rising defence budget and a £ 178bil lion equipment plan, the Type 26 programme will bring vast economic benefits to Scotland and the wider UK.”
Unions and pol it icians welcomed the news but said the UK Government had to deliver their promise to build eight frigates on the Clyde.
Ross Murdoch, national officer for the GMB, said: “It’s fantastic news that the Defence Secretary has finally confirmed and signed the contract for the first batch of Type 26 frigates.
“While we understand it was always going to be announced in batches, we look forward to future conf irmation on the other five ships.
“It ’ s a pararticularly significant announcement in termss of the timing, givenen the Queen Elizabeth abeth carrier goingng out from Rosythth last week to commence mence sea trials, as it once again reinforces forces the world-- cclass lass reputation of our UK shipyard workers.” Douglas Chapman, SNP defence procurement spokesman, said: “This is a very long-awaited and long-promised contract, and it’s welcome news for skilled work for work forces at Scotstoun aand Govan and othersoth in the supplysup chain. “The MoDM must now mmake good the commitment thatt the next batch of five vessels will be built on the ClydeaClydeand it’s a great pity the UK Government G over nm have not offered the workforce and apprentices on the Clyde greater security for their future beyond 2020.”
Chris Stephens, SNP MP for Glasgow South West, added: “What is now required is a statement from the MoD to commit to procure the Type 31 warships so that shipbuilding on the Clyde will continue for decades.”
Scottish Labour economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “This is a welcome announcement.
“The Clyde shipyard is a historic centre of UK shipbuilding and their world-class workforce must be protected and maintained.”