Babcock to service carriers in £30m deal

A £30 MILLION deal to provide dry dock maintenance at Rosyth for two of the world’s most sophisticated aircraft carriers has been signed, helping to secure 300 jobs in Scotland.

The 10-year agreement will see the Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales carriers undergo dry dockings for planned maintenance and repair at Babcock International Group’s Rosyth facilities.

Jeremy Quin, Defence Procurement Minister, said: “The Queen Elizabeth class carriers are the flagships of our Royal Navy and it’s crucial they remain ready to protect and defend the UK and our allies.

“Both carriers had their final construction in Rosyth, and I’m pleased they will return for their dry dock maintenance, supporting vital jobs and skills in Scotland.”

The UK Government said the contract would help sustain 300 jobs at Rosyth dockyard and across the wider supply chain.

The 65,000-tonne ships cost taxpayers £3 billion each and will carry the F35 Joint Strike Fighter jets across the globe.