BAE Systems Announces Further Suppliers for UK Type 26 Global Combat Ships Programme

Posted On
a
Naval Industry News - UK
 
 
 
BAE Systems Announces Further Suppliers for UK Type 26 Global Combat Ships Programme
 
BAE Systems has awarded further manufacturing equipment contracts to six companies for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship bringing the total investment to date in the Type 26 supply chain to more than £380m.
     
BAE Systems has received a $245 million contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide the gun system, known as the Maritime Indirect Fires System (MIFS), for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship. This award follows the MOD’s announcement of BAE Systems as the preferred bidder last year after a competitive process.
 Royal Navy’s future Type 26 Global Combat Ship Frigate. Picture: BAE Systems
     
The new contracts include key items such as steering systems, doors, davit system and mooring equipment for the first three ships and have been awarded to:

- Rolls-Royce for the steering gears and stabilisers, with manufacturing to take place at its Dunfermline facility;
- Johnsons Controls Ltd, based in Basildon, for the chilled water plants;
- Marine Systems Technology Ltd for gastight, weathertight and watertight doors, hatches and scuttles and the Hangar XY crane, that will be supplied from its base in Middlewich;
- Salt Separation Services, based in Rochdale, for the reverse osmosis desalination plants;
- Detegasa, a Spanish-based company, for the membrane sewage treatment plants and oily water separators;
- MEP – Pellegrini Marine Equipments S.r.l., based in Italy, for the anchor handling and mooring equipment, boat davit, and radar cross section screen closures.

BAE Systems’ Combat Systems team is also contracted to deliver the ships’ shared infrastructure and the electro-optical sensors control system (EOSCS), which is the ‘eyes of the ship’, able to detect and identify potential threats in all weather conditions.

Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin MP said: “Backed by Britain’s rising Defence budget, the Type 26 Programme will deliver a new generation of cutting-edge warships for our Royal Navy. Along with sustaining highly skilled jobs across the country, these latest contracts demonstrate continued momentum in the programme ahead of cutting steel next summer.”

To date a total of 33 companies across the maritime supply chain are working with BAE Systems to deliver the Type 26 ships. This includes a total of 15 companies with contracts underway to manufacture key equipment for the first three ships.

Geoff Searle, BAE Systems’ Type 26 Global Combat Ship Programme Director, said: “The progress of our partners in the supply chain is a crucial aspect of making sure we are ready to cut steel on our first of class next summer. Agreeing these contracts now will ensure our suppliers are on track to deliver equipment to Glasgow at the point it is required in the manufacturing phase.”

Nick Antoniades, Rolls-Royce, Programme Executive Type 26 said: “Following on from our success in winning the contracts to supply MT30 Gas Turbines and MTU diesel generators to the Type 26 programme we are delighted to be selected to provide steering gear and stabilisers. This continues a long Rolls-Royce tradition of providing critical equipment to the Royal Navy and we look forward to helping BAE Systems and the Royal Navy build these world-class anti-submarine warfare vessels on the Clyde.

“The timely contract award has set the wheels in motion for the manufacturing phase of the programme, enabling Rolls-Royce to procure long lead items to support BAE Systems' Type 26 ship build schedule.”

The UK Government committed to eight advanced anti-submarine warfare ships in its Strategic Defence and Security Review. The Type 26 Global Combat Ship will be a world-class anti-submarine warfare ship and will replace the Type 23 frigates. Globally deployable, it will be capable of undertaking a wide range of roles from high intensity warfare to humanitarian assistance, either operating independently or as part of a task group.