(July 10th 2001)
In Depth: Type 45 Progress
In Parliament today Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon read a statement regarding the Type 45 destroyer project. He announced that the next batch of three vessels would be ordered in the coming months, some three years ahead of schedule, and revealed details of a new procurement strategy.
However Mr Hoon's statement was followed by news of job cuts at BAE's shipyards at Govan, Scotstoun and Barrow-in-Furness.
Above: The Type 45 will replace the Royal Navy's Type 42 destoyers in the air defence role. At some 7,350 tonnes, they will be twice size of the 3,600 tonne Type 42s, will mount the advanced Principal Anti-Air Missile System and carry the new Merlin helicopter. © BAE.