A&P Tyne, part of the APCL Group, has completed the fabrication of four stern end units for Type 26 Frigate HMS Belfast.
The Type 26 programme, delivered by BAE Systems, is set to provide the Royal Navy with advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
A&P Tyne, alongside Cammell Laird, was selected by BAE Systems to construct units for the City Class ships, which are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.
The four steel structures, weighing a total of 220 tonnes, include welded hot work items. They were fabricated over a 10-month period at A&P Tyne’s Hebburn facility before being transported to BAE Systems’ Govan facility for final assembly.
A&P Tyne’s facilities include CNC machinery, sub-assembly bays, a panel line, and a main assembly hall. The workforce on the project included 70 tradesmen and technical staff, with 10 apprentices involved in the work.
Ian Douglas, Managing Director of A&P Tyne, stated: “A&P Tyne has completed block build units for some of the most significant shipbuilding projects in recent times, including the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers and the RRS Sir David Attenborough.”
David McGinley, CEO of APCL, added: “We are extremely proud to be playing such a significant role in the production of vessels that will help form the backbone of our nation’s future defence.”
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In a way this is good using other parts of British Shipbuilding capacity, but makes you wonder how much spare capacity BAE has if the Norwegian order is signed, if they are already outsourcing block production to A&P and Ferguson’s.
A&P doing well, plus HMS Scott refurb. down south’.
They should soon have the old assembly halls clear for this type of work once two vessels are underway in the new build hall.
Whether they can utilize the space may depend on how successful their apprentice training scheme is, it might take a year or two to find out.
There is a good article on Navy Lookout published on the Tuesday about APCL and it’s on going projects. It’s good read
I’m convinced the outsourcing of work is politically influenced, 4 steel structures weighing a total 220 tonnes is nothing, and fabricated over 10 months is a snails pace. It feels like it is about keeping people in jobs in regions across the UK more than anything else.
If the Norwegian order is successful,it will focus minds,and with the current outsourcing arrangements coming good the efficiencies in build will be obvious.The major bottleneck will be the fitting out stage at Scotstoun.
if finally coming together nicely now get them finished and in the fleet. it’s been far too long in the waiting room for the navy
Good news both for the R.N. and Tyneside. It has taken an unconscionable length of time to get to here but hopefully a large penny has dropped at last.