FEBRUARY 23, 2016 — The Canadian Government has retained Steve Brunton, a retired U.K. Royal Navy Rear Admiral as its Expert Advisor to assist on the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS). According
Notably, the buy of advanced Type 26 Global Combat Ships will be cut to eight ships from the previously announced 13.
The Type 36 ships are intended to replace the Royal Navy’s current Type 23 frigates in their anti-submarine role and the cuts to the program aren’t going down well in Scottish shipbuilding circles.
Overall, though, the plan adds to the number of ships in the fleet.
“We will maintain our fleet of 19 frigates and destroyers,” says the review. “We will also launch a concept study and then design and build a new class of lighter, flexible general purpose frigates so that by the 2030s we can further increase the total number of frigates and destroyers. These general purpose frigates are also likely to offer increased export potential. We will buy two further new offshore patrol vessels, increasing the Royal Navy’s ability to defend U.K. interests at home and abroad.”
The two new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy, that will enter service from 2018, will also get added punch with an increase the number of F35 Lightning aircraft being bought. And one of the two carriers will be enhanced to support the amphibious capabilities of Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade.
Three new logistic ships will be built to support the fleet, in addition to four tankers that will enter service from 2016.
BALLISTIC MISSILE SUBS WILL COST MORE
Not too surprisingly, Britain’s 20 year plan to replace the Vanguard Class of nuclear-armed submarines with a new class of four submarines, currently known as Successor, is starting to look a lot more expensive, going up from a previously estimated ›£25 billion to £31 billion, with a further £10 billion being budgeted for contingency.”The revised cost and schedule reflect the greater understanding we now have about the detailed design of the submarines and their manufacture,” says the review.
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JULY 28, 2015 — Rolls-Royce has delivered the twin fixed pitch propellers for installation on the future USS Zumwalt, the first ship of the DDG 1000 multi-mission destroyer class. Delivery of the
MARCH 6, 2015 — The Aircraft Carrier Alliance (Babcock, BAE Systems and Thales U.K. plus the U.K. Ministry of Defence) has successfully completed the installation of the first Rolls-Royce MT30 Gas Turbine
FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — British Prime Minister David Cameron today announced that the U.K. Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with BAE Systems worth £859 million (about $1.32 billion) for work
SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 — NAVSEA reports that the Navy’s Zumwalt class (DDG 1000) destroyer program continues to achieve key shipbuilding milestones. The first-of-class ship, the future USS Zumwalt, completed ship generator light-off
AUGUST 12, 2014 — BAE Systems reports that it has been been awarded a £348 million (about $584 million) contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defence to construct three new Offshore Patrol
NOVEMBER 7, 2013 — With British taxpayers braced to receive more bad news on the costs of the two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, BAE Systems says it has reached agreement in
Canada looks to have firmly slammed the door on proposals that it participate in BAE Systems’ Global Combat Ship program. “Canada will not be pursuing collaboration with the United Kingdom on our
