Up to 800 jobs for Rosyth as supercarriers get go-ahead

HUNDREDS of new jobs are in prospect for Rosyth after the Ministry of Defence today gave the long-awaited go-ahead for two new super aircraft carriers.

The two vessels – the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK – will be built by a consortium including Babcock International, which runs Rosyth dockyard.

The MoD today said it was ready to go ahead with signing the contract as soon as the joint venture company was formed.

The carriers are to be constructed in sections in shipyards at Portsmouth, Barrow-in-Furness, Glasgow and Rosyth, with final assembly at Rosyth.

A source at Babcock said the work could mean as many as 800 new jobs at Rosyth over the lifetime of the contract, which is worth around £600 million to the company.

Earlier this year there were fears the project could be cancelled after the House of Commons Defence Select Committee said cost overruns on a series of orders for defence equipment were so serious some planned expenditure would have to be cut.

But today Defence Secretary Des Browne confirmed the ships would be built.

He said: "The two aircraft carriers will provide our frontline forces with the modern, world-class capabilities they will need over the coming decades. They will support peace-keeping and conflict prevention as well as our strategic operational priorities.

"This is an important day for the project and I am delighted that we are moving closer to signing the contracts for the manufacture of the carriers."

The carriers, to be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will enter service in 2014 and 2016 and are expected to remain in the fleet for up to 50 years.

Babcock chief executive Peter Rogers said the company was delighted by today's announcement. He said: "We look forward to participating with all our partners in what will be one of the most exciting British defence projects for many years."

Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said: "Today's confirmation that we are proceeding with the two aircraft carriers underlines our commitment to both the Royal Navy and to the UK shipbuilding industry.

"We are investing about £14 billion in the Navy and in the maritime industry over the next ten to 15 years.

"The future carriers will provide an important military capability and will sustain many jobs – around 10,000 at the peak of production."

The 65,000-tonne carriers will be about 280m long by 70m wide load and carry up to 40 aircraft.

First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band said: "These ships with their aircraft will transform the UK's defence capabilities, delivering air power in support of the full range of future operations at sea, in the air and on land."

Other companies involved in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance include BAE Systems, VT Group and Thales UK.