BAE Wins Royal Navy Sub Contract

BAE Systems has been awarded a £1.2bn contract to build the Royal Navy’s new attack submarine.

The deal to build the new ship Audacious is expected to secure 3,000 jobs at Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria.

It will replace the Trafalgar Class currently in service.

The MoD says a further £1.5bn has been allocated to the remaining three Astute Class submarines being built.

HMS Astute and Ambush were the first crafts to be finished and are currently undergoing sea trials.

Artful, the third, is close to finishing construction at Barrow shipyard. All three are to be based at Faslane on the Clyde.

Work has also begun on the fifth vessel, Anson, as well as on submarines six and seven which are as yet unnamed.

Last month it was reported that Astute had encountered problems during its sea trials, including leaks and the discovery of electrical switchboards which had been fitted incorrectly.

Defence secretary Phillip Hammond said: "This contract marks an important step forward in the progress of our attack submarine programme and moves the Royal Navy closer to adding more of these highly-advanced and powerful attack submarines to its fleet.

"Our ability to commit an additional £1.5bn for boats five, six and seven underlines the benefits of a balanced budget and fully-funded equipment programme that gives our armed forces greater certainty.

"This funding demonstrates our commitment not only to a key Royal Navy capability, but also to the submarine industry in Barrow, which will play a vital role in Britain's defence for decades to come."

(IT)