Tyneside shipbuilders A&P are celebrating the return of Naval shipbuilding to the North East today with the award of a ?55M contract to construct a section of the Royal Navy’s giant new aircraft carriers.

The massive construction project, which will provide around five years’ work for A&P and support the 210-strong workforce, will see A&P construct a 1,000 tonne section that will form part of the first of the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. At 65,000 tonnes, these will be the largest warships ever constructed in the UK.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies said:

“Companies right across the UK are involved in delivering this project which represents a step change in defence’s capability, enabling Britain to deliver airpower from the sea wherever and whenever it is required. The excellent progress being made by A&P here on the Tyne is evidence of the absolute commitment to delivering this vital capability.”

Head of Capital Ships at the MOD Tony Graham said:

“This is an historic day for shipbuilding in the North East, marking its involvement in the biggest shipbuilding programme the Navy has seen. It is fantastic that the young apprentices who have been taken on by A&P are learning their trade on these Carriers, which will be the cornerstone of the future Navy.

“The Aircraft Carrier Alliance has been impressed by the commitment of A&P management to upgrading their facilities and providing confidence in their ability to meet important delivery milestones. We know and trust that A&P management and workforce will deliver their promises.”

Investment has been made in new equipment including a state-of-the art plasma cutter and new panel line at the Hebburn site which will equip A&P Tyne with the facilities to deliver their parts of the aircraft carriers.

The aircraft carriers are being constructed in sections at locations around the country and will be shipped to Rosyth in Scotland where they will be fitted together. Contracts for the equipment that will furnish the ships worth over ?1Bn to date have also been placed around the UK.

Aircraft Carrier Alliance Programme Director Geoff Searle said:

“This is a fantastic day for A&P Tyne and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. These carriers will be this country’s future flagships so our primary focus and that of our contractors is ensuring we deliver the best vessels possible to the Royal Navy.

“The commitment of the Tyneside workforce to building these ships for the UK Armed Forces is very evident and I am delighted that A&P Tyne is now officially on contract and has started to make great progress on the first ship.”

A&P Group Managing Director David Skentelbery said:

“Our Hebburn workforce has a proud tradition of delivering a first rate job and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so on this hugely prestigious project.

“At A&P Tyne, we are set to deliver a substantial part of these ships and I am delighted that we can represent the North East on the project.”

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1.????? For further information, facts and figures please contact Sally May, DE&S Press Office, on 07775 551281 or David Hunter in the MoD Press Office on 0207 218 3256.

2.????? Stills and video are available from the DNI website including CGI of the Carrier Strike force in operation. Login with username: GuestUser; password: Golden Medal

3.????? The ships will be the largest warships ever built in the UK.? Dimensions:

Weight: 65000 tonnes

Length: 280m

Width: 70m

Aircraft: 40 (including Short Take-Off Vertical Landing strike aircraft and helicopters)

Complement: 1,450 (including embarked aircrew and support staff).

Power generation : 109MW

Range : 8,000 to 10,000 nautical miles

4.?? Prime contractors BAE Systems Surface Ships have recruited 78 new apprentices on the Clyde and 42 in Portsmouth in 2009, taking the total number of apprentices in the business to 504. In Rosyth, Babcock recruited a further 52 apprentices in 2009, which boosted the company’s total number of apprentices to 157.

5.? The innovative Aircraft Carrier Alliance is a single integrated team formed from, BAE Systems, Thales UK and the MOD (which acts as both partner and client.) It is responsible for delivering the Queen Elizabeth Class ships to time and cost.? Alliancing allows for the collaborative delivery of the aircraft carriers by bringing together all interested parties with a vested financial interest to make decisions to achieve what is best for the project, as well as providing the most effective way of managing risk and reward.

Source: MOD

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