Graeme Downie MP has pressed the Ministry of Defence for guarantees on the future of Royal Navy shipbuilding, citing the economic importance of the Type 31 frigate programme to his constituency.
Speaking during defence questions on Thursday 26 June, Graeme Downie, Labour MP for Dunfermline and Dollar, asked the Minister of State for Defence when the government would make an announcement to “guarantee shipbuilding” and called for further frigate orders to sustain employment and investment at Rosyth.
“As the minister says, the SDR spoke of the need for a supply of shipbuilding with the Royal Navy continuing to move towards a more powerful but cheaper and simpler fleet,” said Downie. “The minister has visited my constituency and seen the construction of the frigates, with the first ship HMS Venturer floated off, and another one progressing well.”
In response, Minister of State Maria Eagle said she recognised the benefits of the Type 31 programme to the local area and reaffirmed the government’s interest in export opportunities as a means of sustaining the build line.
“I recognise the benefit that construction of Type 31 frigates have brought to his constituency,” Eagle said. “I’ve engaged with international partners to secure future orders as well. In addition to any orders that we may ourselves have, exporting this type of capability to our allies and friends is a sensible way of making sure that we can keep production going up at the site.”
The Type 31 frigates, built by Babcock at Rosyth under the Royal Navy’s Inspiration-class programme, form part of the UK’s effort to expand the surface fleet with affordable, exportable platforms. HMS Venturer, the lead ship, entered the water in June, with HMS Active and HMS Formidable in various stages of construction.
The remarks follow the MoD’s recent confirmation of a £65 million Capability Insertion Period contract for the Type 31 fleet, and are the latest signal that ministers are leaning on export success to underwrite long-term continuity at the yard.
“ The remarks follow the MoD’s recent confirmation of a £65 million Capability Insertion Period contract for the Type 31 fleet, and are the latest signal that ministers are leaning on export success to underwrite long-term continuity at the yard.”
How does the one follow from the other?
Umm.. because they said so 🤷
Same i am noticing in several of new TV series, films. A general degradation in logic quality.
What can you fit for £15 million per hull ? Not a lot methinks 🤷🏼♂️
Frigate UK International Trade (F.U.K.I.T.) and the upcoming French, UK and US Submarine deal (F.U.K.U.S.) are shaping the way of the future whilst Canada, Ukraine, Norway and Taiwan are hard on our heals.
“See you all in the next one”.
The above being implemented via a Capability Review And Production study (C.R.A.P.) to be completed by 2035…
T31 is the credible, affordable GP frigate the RN needs in order to achieve a global presence. It is a sizeable, configurable design – a good offering in the export market; but there is a lot of competition. Best of luck Babcock.
Maybe expand the Navy. We’re an island nation and most of our trade is at sea.
The Navy is great for force projection and protecting assets overseas.
Not entirely sure the headline and the content match. The headline makes it seem like there’s a comprehensive plan in action, rather than the reality which appears to be a vague notion and a lot of government inaction
There is meant to be a plan. Defence is one of the industrial sectors identified in the govt industrial strategy ( along with creative, life sciences, professional services, finance, digital, advanced manufacturing). Legislation, procurement policies, budget, foreign policy are all being aligned along these axes. Quote from govt web site.
“The Defence Sector Plan will outline how we will reform, grow, and innovate to build our defence industrial base, helping scale small and mid-tier companies and create industrial leaders.”
I see… they have a plan to make a plan. Forgive me if I don’t piss myself in excitement