Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 56
56
Not Addressed
Prior to the announcement of the Batch 2 contract, the Defence Secretary informed the House...
Conclusion
Prior to the announcement of the Batch 2 contract, the Defence Secretary informed the House in a Written Ministerial Statement that there would be a 12-month delay to the Batch 1 frigates becoming operational, from October 2027 to October 2028. The cost of the project would therefore grow by 4.2 per cent, or £233 million.94 The Defence Secretary explained the delay as being [d]ue to the impact of covid-19, where the Govan yard was required to shut down for a number of weeks, and challenges typical of those experienced with the first of class ship, including finalising the ship design and timely delivery of key new to service equipment.95 He later clarified in evidence to us that the delay had been due to a fault in the test bed used to test the ship’s gearbox.96
Government Response Summary
The response acknowledges the delay in the Initial Operating Capability date of the first Type 26, HMS Glasgow, due to a number of complex reasons including global challenges, and that work is underway to increase productivity and improve on the revised forecast Initial Operating Capability date.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The importance of maintaining the shipbuilding ‘drumbeat’ in respect of the Type 26 frigates is fully appreciated and it was for this reason that the contract for the second batch of Type 26 ships was awarded well before construction of the first batch has completed. As confirmed by the Secretary of State for Defence in a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 November 2022 it is regrettably the case that, for a number of complex reasons including global challenges, the Initial Operating Capability date of the first Type 26, HMS Glasgow, will be a year later than anticipated and that this delay carries with it an additional cost. Work is already underway to increase productivity and improve on the revised forecast Initial Operating Capability date. In addition, an investment in a new Shipbuilding Hall to build ships undercover and to further improve build efficiency is in progress. BAE Systems are also working closely with DE&S and the Royal Navy to streamline the trials, testing and acceptance into service plans.