HMS Forth Commissioned
The first of the U.K. Royal Navy's next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) has been formally commissioned into the fleet.Commissioned last week at her home base of Portsmouth, HMS Forth represents the second ship to join the Royal Navy in less than six months, following aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth commissioned in December. The warships are part of the government’s £178 billion plan to bolster its Armed Forces over the next decade.HMS Forth is the first of five new OPVs designed for counter-piracy…
Indian Aircraft Carrier to Get Russian Weaponry
Russia could supply air defence systems and other equipment to the Indian Vikrant-class aircraft carrier currently under construction, says a report by IANS. The first of the Vikrant-class aircraft carriers, the INS Vikramaditya, is Russian-built. The second vessel of the class, INS Vikrant, is set to become Indias first indigenous carrier. However, according to Viktor Kladov, the head of Russian conglomerate Rostec, India still needs Russia’s technical assistance in various aspects of the INS Vikrant project. “Guidance systems, air defense systems, as well as various systems of airborne weaponry, including anti-aircraft, could be supplied on board the aircraft carrier.
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…
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.
CVF Manufacturing Contract Boosts VT Group
VT Group announced that its new shipbuilding and naval support joint venture, BVT Surface Fleet Limited, is to be the major beneficiary from the manufacturing contract signed for two new Royal Navy aircraft carriers (CVF). The CVF contract will contribute in the region of £3 billion to BVT’s order book, of which just under half will be delivered by the joint venture directly and the balance sub-contracted. CVF revenues will start to flow through BVT shortly with production of the first carrier set to start later this year. VT owns 45 percent of BVT, with the remaining 55 per cent owned by Systems. BVT, which officially started operations on July 1…
VT and BAE Agree on Shipbuilding JV
VT Group has finalized its shipbuilding joint venture with BAE Systems. Under the agreement -- the terms of which are substantially unchanged from those set out in the framework agreement in July 2007 -- the BVT Surface Fleet Ltd joint venture will be owned 45 percent by VT and 55 percent by BAE Systems. The joint venture, under which VT has an option to sell its stake to BAE for at least $745 million, is key to VT's attempts to focus entirely on support services, leaving behind its origins as a shipbuilder, Reuters said. Last July, gave the go-ahead for plans to build two aircraft carriers, triggering the deal to merge operations at BAE and VT, 's two largest shipbuilders.
Britain to Sign Contract for New Aircraft Carriers
Britain is set to sign a long-awaited $7.8b deal to build two aircraft carriers, which will be the Royal Navy's largest ever ships and are set for 50 years of service. The 65,000-ton carriers are said to be called Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales and will enter service in 2014 and 2016. The manufacturing contract is going to a consortium that includes a shipbuilding joint venture being set up between two British companies, BAE Systems and VT Group. Other members include Britain's Babcock International Group and France's Thales, which designed the ships. Final signing of the contract had been expected earlier this year but was delayed. The new carriers will be much smaller than their U.S.
