(July 10th 2001)
Type 45 Construction Programme Revised
Amid news that the next batch of three Type 45 destroyers will be ordered ahead of schedule, it emerged that the Type 45 construction programme has been revised. Vosper Thornycroft at Portsmouth and at BAE Systems Marine at Barrow-in-Furness and on the Clyde will both build and outfit substantial sections of the ships. The companies will work on the same section of the ships throughout the programme to maximise efficiency and get best value for money.
For the first vessel, HMS Daring, Vosper Thornycroft will build and outfit the bow, main mast and funnel sections. These will then be taken by barge to BAE’s Scotstoun yard, where the ship will be assembled and launched. Scotstoun will host Daring’s stage one ship performance trials and Vosper will host the stage two combat system performance trials.
The remaining ships will be assembled at BAE’s Barrow-in-Furness yard inside the Devonshire Dock Hall (alongside the Astute Class submarines). Govan will produce all the steelwork, while Scotstoun will construct Block A (the stern block, including steering gear stores and accommodation) and Block D (the heart of the ship including the Operations Room and the Bridge). Vosper Thornycroft will again assemble the bow, main mast and funnel sections although these will be outfitted to a much greater extent before they are shipped to Barrow-in-Furness. Barrow will also host the stage one ship performance trials for the remaining vessels.
HMS Daring should enter service in 2007, followed by HM Ships Dauntless and Diamond in 2009. The next three ships will join the fleet in 2010 and 2011.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "The new strategy gives a welcome level of stability to our warship building industry. Above all, it offers the best prospect of achieving the In-Service Date for the Type 45 destroyer, with deliveries starting in 2007."