Defence giant BAE Systems yesterday officially opened a vast shipbuilding hall on the Clyde in which two warships can be built side-by-side – unexposed to Glasgow’s rain.
The hall is part of £300 million of improvements at the shipyard in Govan. Previously, ships have been built in sections indoors and then assembled outside.
At 560 feet (170m) long and 260 feet (80m) wide, the hall is currently occupied by HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham.
They are being outfitted at the company’s Scotstoun site further up the Clyde, and steel has been cut on HMS Sheffield.
Work on the hulls of the third and fourth ships in the Royal Navy order for eight destroyers – has begun in the new facility, which can accommodate 500 workers per shift.
It has been named the Janet Harvey Hall, after one of the first female workers at the yard in the Second World War.
HMS Glasgow was launched by the Duchess of Rothesay (Princess of Wales) last month.
Simon Lister, managing director of BAE Systems’ naval ships business, said: “The Janet Harvey Hall marks a major step forward for shipbuilding in Glasgow and will help enable efficient and safe shipbuilding for decades to come.
“It’s a symbol of pride not just for our skilled workforce who bring these ships to life, but for the entire city.”
He said the ability to construct the hulls indoors would ensure work is unaffected by adverse weather and cut production time from an expected 98 months for the first ship, to 66.
At the end of yesterday’s ceremony, Ms Harvey’s nieces joined the Lord Provost to cut the ribbon across the towering hall door – a symbolic gesture officially opening the facility and marking a new era for shipbuilding in Scotland.
Stephen Charlick, MOD DE&S Type 26 resident project officer, said: “The Janet Harvey Hall brings an improved approach to warship assembly and outfit, driving quality throughout the build, and this approach supports regular delivery of vessels in line with the Royal Navy need.”
Key points:
- Type 26 is a UK-wide endeavour, with more than 120 UK suppliers securing contracts supporting the frigates.
- Designed for a service life of at least 25 years, the Type 26 frigates will serve in the Royal Navy surface fleet into the 2060s.
- Each Type 26 will be equipped with a range of capabilities including the Sea Ceptor missile defence system, a five-inch medium calibre gun, flexible mission bay, Artisan 997 Medium Range Radar, powerful bow and towed array sonars and a vertical launch silo capable of hosting a variety of weapons.
- The Commonwealths of Australia and Canada have selected the Type 26 reference design, which together with the UK, provides the basis for an anticipated 29-ship programme across the three nations. Sharing build and transition into service lessons across all three programmes will benefit all parties in this multinational effort.
- The Type 26 is also one of the platforms under consideration for Norway’s new frigate programme, with BAE Systems shortlisted to provide the design for the Royal Norwegian Navy’s replacement for its Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates.
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