The British shipbuilding industry has seen significant investment since the launch of the National Shipbuilding Office in September 2021.

Here’s a summary of the key contracts:

  1. Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability Increment 1: Awarded to a Babcock-led partnership with Elbit Systems UK and QinetiQ on 1st November 2021, this £100 million contract involves upgrading electronic warfare systems across several naval vessels, including T26 and T31 frigates.
  2. NavyX, Ministry of Defence: On 10th February 2022, Damen Shipyards (Netherlands) received a £9.5 million contract (£7.5 million overseas, £2 million to UK companies) for an off-the-shelf vessel. This procurement is not part of the 30-year cross-government shipbuilding pipeline.
  3. Queen Elizabeth Class Docking: Babcock (UK) won a £34 million contract on 15th March 2022 for support services, a UK-only competition under the Ministry of Defence.
  4. Type 26 Batch 2, Ministry of Defence: BAE Systems (UK) was awarded a £4.2 billion contract on 15th November 2022 for building the next batch of Type 26 frigates, highlighting the UK’s continued investment in its naval fleet.
  5. Natural Environment Research Council (NERC): Babcock (UK) secured a £45 million contract on 10th December 2022 for support services in an international competition.
  6. Northern Lighthouse Board, General Lighthouse Authority, Department for Transport (DfT): Astilleros Gondán S.A (Spain) received a £51.8 million contract (via a DfT loan) on 12th December 2022 to build vessels, including contracts with the UK supply chain.
  7. Fleet Solid Support Ships: Team Resolute, comprising Navantia UK, Harland & Wolff, and BMT, was awarded a £1.6 billion contract on 18th January 2023, reflecting a significant investment in the UK’s logistical naval capabilities.
  8. Type 31 mission systems test and integration facility: Thales UK won a £70 million contract on 9th May 2023 to provide equipment and technical services for the Type 31 Mission System Shore Integration Facility in Portsmouth.
  9. North Eastern Guardian III replacement, patrol and research vessel: Parkol Marine, Whitby, was awarded a £5.54 million contract on 11th August 2023 by the North East Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, funded by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and DEFRA.
George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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21 COMMENTS

      • Would be more efficient to have one coastal agency responsible for border patrolling, customs and safety rather than the patchwork we seem to use now.

        • You mean. Something sensible like the US coastguard? I’ve thought for a long time that we need a new governmental service set up in this manner. We do need a paramilitary coastguard force, they could take over responsibility for coast watch, border patrol, protection of offshore infrastructure within the EEZ. Etc etc.
          Would need correct resourcing though to be effective.

      • I’ve enjoyed reading about all matters naval and maritime but never heard of the organisation until reading this article. I had just assumed that was a “gap” in our capabilities. Where are they funded from?

  2. Anyone not familiar with how all U.K. Government funded ships and boats are supposed to be built have a read of this. It’s quite educational, it’s the one sensible Government Industrial document there is, and IMHO the edge and big stick the RN have over any ruling party. They need to set one for Army and RAF as well. But then that stops them juggling.

    If it doesn’t open just Google National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh.

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6231b9e2e90e070ed32f18ce/_CP_605____National_Shipbuilding_Strategy_Refresh.pdf

  3. Do we think the deal for Babcock to build patrol vessels for The Ukrainian Navy is now dead, or just dormant whilst access to The Black Sea is limited?

    • The money is there, Ukraine has a navy ship or 2 that were working out of rosyth. Ex sandown minehunter. They have been on exercises.
      Until the ships can operate in the Black Sea it’s a bit tricky and no doubt there are other issues Ukraine is dealing with just now.
      If the conflict freezes Ukraine still has ports and coastline that will need a navy.

  4. 6. Northern Lighthouse Board, General Lighthouse Authority, Department for Transport (DfT): Astilleros Gondán S.A (Spain) received a £51.8 million contract (via a DfT loan) on 12th December 2022 to build vessels, including contracts with the UK supply chain.Get

    That’s just two million quid for UK content and I guessing that would be office type work again? Any contracts over twenty five grand, UK companies need to know about, which will come to what?

    That contract could kick start a facility like New Pallion ship factory and keep our cash here in the UK. The National Shipbuilding Strategy is looking like complete rubbish. At the moment.

    • With the three support ships built on collaboration with Spain. Apart from the handshakes with all these contracts flying around with govt money . I wonder if in part we award these contracts to Spain to sweeten them over with Gibraltar. Or Spain genuinely a good partner and make good ships for good prices

      • Spainish companies bought the shipyards in the U.K. so part of the bid for work was some parts would be built in Spain.

      • There were 4 bids, 2 of them being serious bids. Those happened to be the only 2 involving a large amount of UK components.

        Team UK would’ve had to assemble the ships at Rosyth, whilst also having the contract for the Carrier repair.

        They would’ve been able to assemble 1 ship at a time whereas H&W can assemble all 3 at the same time.

        It also invests hugely in H&W who since then have started half a dozen plus other projects including cutters for Border Force, ferries etc.

      • Ask Norway and Australia they bought ships from Navantia and yes they build decent ships. The main thing is they are providing the necessary know how for H&W to get back into Big Ship building again.
        The MRSS ships are next larger builds due and with that Drydock and the Gantry cranes they can compete with Rosyth for the QE refits and maintenance contract.
        So things are looking up at last.

        • Thats good. Compared to the raf and army , the RN is showing hints of decent good long term strategy to build more ships and keep the skills . Hope the funding stays the course

      • It does helps Harland and Wolff with investment and knowledge. Lack of investment and knowledge has been due to last policies wanting to manufacture and yes, much tax is lost and no saving is made by anything like this made abroad. We are losing money with parts made in spain. Tax, money abroad, not circulated and kept national with an ability we have here. People will say, other nations will want to build there own what ever. Yes! Exactly!

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