HMS Queen Elizabeth arrives on the Clyde to embark munitions
As part of the preparations for her maiden operational deployment in May, HMS Queen Elizabeth has made her first visit to the Clyde to embark munitions.
Naval Infrastructure
Type 31 frigate project on schedule despite challenges of the pandemic
A year on from signing the contract with the MoD, today Babcock provided a media briefing, giving an overview of the industrial aspects of Type 31 frigate programme to date. Despite the impacts of COVID-19, the project is on schedule and the company remains optimistic about delivering the ships on time.
British-Spanish team bid to build the Fleet Solid Support ship
This week ‘Team Resolute’ went public. This is a new partnership between Spanish shipbuilder, Navantia, Belfast shipyard, Harland & Wolff and naval architects, BMT to bid for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship contract. Here we consider this partnership and summarise the story of FSS so far.
Upgrading the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine support facilities
Plans to convert another dry dock in Devonport to refit the Dreadnought class submarines were recently revealed in an outline planning application. Here we examine the context and reasons for the upgrade.
Britain gets a new frigate factory
As part of their successful bid to build 5 Type 31 frigates for the RN, Babcock is constructing a new module hall to assemble the ships at their Rosyth yard. Here we examine the new facility and the implications of this investment.
Maintenance problems for the Royal Navy mount up
The delivery of the RN’s second aircraft carrier has deservedly been celebrated as a great success for British industry but behind the scenes, in the naval bases and shipyards, all is not well. 2019 has seen a number of important maintenance projects stalled or delayed. Here we summarise the situation.More
Portsmouth Naval Base – ready to support two aircraft carriers
This week HMS Queen Elizabeth returned home from the Westlant 19 deployment to the US. She joined her sister HMS Prince of Wales alongside in Portsmouth together for the first time. Here we look at the new facilities that will support both aircraft carriers.
Minister tells head of the Royal Navy to make increasing warship availability a priority
Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace made his first appearance before the House of Commons Defence Select Committee on Wednesday 23rd October. In a generally impressive and honest performance, he answered a wide range of questions, mainly about naval matters.
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Upgrades to the Scottish facility used to ammunition the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers
The MoD is about start work on a major upgrade of the Northern Ammunition Jetty in on Loch Long in order to enable the Queen Elizabeth class (QEC) aircraft carriers to load and unload ordnance. Here we look at the jetty project in detail.
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