HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS PRINCE OF WALES will be the biggest navy ships ever built in the UK

BAE Systems welcomes announcement on aircraft carriers
Company's businesses in Glasgow and Barrow will be involved in design and build

BAE Systems yesterday welcomed the UK government’s announcement to enter into full manufacturing phase contracts for two new 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers.

BAE Systems has today welcomed the UK government’s announcement to enter into full manufacturing phase contracts for two new 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers.

Chief Executive Mike Turner comments: “This is a significant milestone for the UK maritime industrial sector and will help retain critical areas of expertise in the UK. The two carriers will provide our armed forces with significantly enhanced capability for the next 50 years.”

The UK MoD and its Carrier Alliance partners have signed a ‘heads of terms’ covering the key principles under which a full manufacturing contract can be finalised. This is expected to be completed over the coming months.

The aircraft carriers will be the largest surface navy ships ever to be built in the UK. BAE Systems’ businesses in Glasgow and Barrow will be involved in both design and build work and the company’s Integrated System Technologies business will be the mission system provider.

Currently BAE Systems is constructing 6 new Type 45 destroyers, the first of which, HMS DARING built at their Scotstoun shipyard, is currently on trials on the Clyde and west coast of Scotland.