Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 58
58
Acknowledged
The award of the contract to build five additional Type 26 frigates to BAE Systems...
Conclusion
The award of the contract to build five additional Type 26 frigates to BAE Systems is welcome news for Scottish shipbuilding, and importantly continues the shipbuilding ‘drumbeat’ into the medium-term. We note that, partly as a consequence of global challenges, the first batch of Type 26 vessels has faced delays and increased costs. 90 HC Deb, 15 November 2022, Col. 16WS [Commons Written Ministerial Statement] 91 Q58 92 Ministry of Defence, Press release: British shipyard awarded £4.2 billion to build Royal Navy ships, 15 November 2022 93 Q167 94 HC Deb, 20 November 2022, Col 23WS [Written Ministerial Statement] 95 HC Deb, 20 November 2022, Col 23WS [Written Ministerial Statement] 96 Q236 97 Defence Committee, Third Report of Session, “We’re going to need a bigger Navy”, HC 168, p. 56 Defence in Scotland: military shipbuilding 25
Government response summary AI-generated
The MOD welcomes the committee’s interest in the construction of Type 26 and will consider its request when providing updates to Parliament on key Defence programmes.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
18: 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.
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