Steel Cut on UK Navy’s Newest Warship
Construction has begun on a new warship for the U.K. Royal Navy as the Minister of State for Defense Procurement, Philip Dunne MP cut the first steel in Glasgow today. HMS Trent is the third of three River Class Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) designed and constructed by BAE Systems. Employees, as well as representatives of the Royal Navy and local community, joined the Minister as he switched on a plasma cutting machine in a formal ceremony in Govan. “These new ships will…
Construction Begins on UK’s Next Warship
Construction of the U.K. Royal Navy’s second new Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) has begun, marked by a ceremony led by Defense Secretary, Michael Fallon, at BAE Systems in Glasgow. The Secretary of State formally started construction of HMS Medway, the second of three River Class Batch 2 vessels, by operating the plasma steel-cutting machine at a June 8 event attended by representatives from the Royal Navy, the local community and BAE Systems employees. “These new ships are an important part of the £160 billion we are investing over the next decade in the equipment our armed forces need…
HMS Prince of Wales Bridge Sets Sail
The bridge section of the second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier set sail today from Glasgow on its first sea voyage to Rosyth. Upper Block 07 is where HMS Prince of Wales will be commanded atop the flight deck and is known as the Forward Island. As the main hub of the ship it contains the bridge and approximately 100 vital mission systems compartments. Mick Ord, Managing Director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, said, “This Forward Island is a remarkable feat of engineering…
Delivery Begins for HMS Prince of Wales Bridge
The bridge section of the U.K.’s second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier has been loaded out of its dock hall in Glasgow ahead of its first sea voyage to Rosyth. Upper Block 07 is where HMS Prince of Wales will be commanded atop the flight deck and is known as the Forward Island. As the main hub of the ship it contains the bridge and approximately 100 vital mission systems compartments. The Forward Island has been under wraps in Govan since construction on the section began in December 2013, but it is now visible from the west end of Glasgow.
HMS Prince of Wales Hull Departs for Rosyth
A huge section of hull for HMS Prince of Wales, the second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier, has today begun its delivery voyage from HM Naval Base Portsmouth – the future home of the Queen Elizabeth Class. Mick Ord, Managing Director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, said, “This is a significant milestone for the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier program and a particularly proud one for the team in Portsmouth whose contribution to delivering the nation’s flagships has been outstanding.
BAE Systems to Build OPVs for UK Navy
BAE Systems has been awarded a £348 million contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defense to construct three new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the U.K. Royal Navy. The new 90-meter vessels will be built at BAE Systems’ facilities in Glasgow and will provide additional capability for the Royal Navy. Based on a proven design, the ships will be used to support counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations in the waters around the U.K. and will protect other U.K. interests abroad.
New Warship for Oman’s Royal Navy
HM Naval Base Portsmouth was lit up red, white and green this morning as BAE Systems handed over the third of three new warships to the Royal Navy of Oman. AL RASIKH is a 99 meter corvette designed, built and delivered as part of Project Khareef. The Interim Acceptance ceremony was attended by dignitaries from both Oman and the U.K. who witnessed the ship’s crew board the vessel to raise the National Flag of Oman for the first time. Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems Naval Ships, said, “This is a proud day for the Royal Navy of Oman as it takes ownership of the third Khareef Class corvette, which has been completed to the highest standard. Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower also joined the colorful celebrations by lighting up in Oman’s national colors.
BAE Get Funding to Build 3 New UK Offshore Patrol Vessels
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has signed a £20 million contract to buy equipment for the Royal Navy's 3 new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). The contract will enable BAE Systems to begin work on the engines & gearboxes, etc. that need to be ordered in advance. During a visit to the company’s shipyards on the Clyde in Scotland, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne announced that MOD has committed £20 million to the programme. The OPVs will not only provide an additional capability for the UK but also…
BAE Ocean Patrol Vessel Handed Over to Brazil Navy
'Araguari', the third of 3 Ocean Patrol Vessels built by BAE Systems, is handed over to the Brazilian Navy in a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base UK. Employees joined guests from the Brazilian Navy and UK Royal Navy, to watch as members of the ship’s company raised the ensign for the first time, formally marking the handover of the Brazilian Navy’s newest vessel. Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems Maritime - Naval Ships business, said: “We are extremely proud to deliver Araguari. She is a highly capable ship, and with her sister ships, will be a great asset to the Brazilian Navy.
Aircraft Carrier on the Move
The 6,000 tonne hull section of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, known as Lower Block 02, will set off on its four day journey to Rosyth on Monday 21 May. The forward section of hull has been moved out of BAE Systems’ production facility at Portsmouth and loaded onto a huge sea going barge in preparation for the journey. On Friday 25 May, a team of 50 cyclists from across the Aircraft Carrier Alliance will take on a gruelling challenge to mark the occasion, cycling 500 miles from Portsmouth to Rosyth in an attempt to complete the journey in a faster time and raise money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. To follow and track the block’s journey to Rosyth, visit http://www.shipais.com/.
Construction of Second Carrier Begins in UK
Portsmouth, United Kingdom: Production on HMS PRINCE OF WALES, the second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier, has started today at BAE Systems in Portsmouth Naval Base – the future home of the Queen Elizabeth Class. Work on the forward section of the hull, known as Lower Block 02, commenced as Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral George Zambellas cut the first steel in a ceremony at the company’s production facility. The huge section, which will weigh around 6,000 tonnes upon completion…
Thai Offshore Patrol Boat Launched
A BAE Systems designed Offshore Patrol Vessel being built by the Royal Thai Navy has been launched at a ceremony at the Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard. The launch of HTMS Krabi on Friday (2 December) was conducted by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and comes just 15 months after the vessel’s keel laying ceremony in August 2010. Under a technology transfer agreement, signed in June 2009, BAE Systems supplied the design of its 90 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel, which its industrial partner Bangkok Dock has adapted to meet the specific requirements of the Royal Thai Navy.
Royal Navy of Oman: New Ship Launched
The last of three corvettes under construction by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) was formally named in a launching ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base today. Employees and guests, including senior representatives from the RNO and UK Royal Navy, gathered at the naval base to watch Lt General Hassan Mohsin Al Sharaiqi, Inspector General of the Police and Customs of the Sultanate of Oman, formally name the RNO’s newest vessel, Al Rasikh. Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Surface Ships division…
