BAE Systems has awarded a further five contracts to suppliers worth more than £100m, as progress on the Type 26 frigate programme continues apace at the company’s shipyards in Glasgow.
The new contracts will support 250 jobs, with the Type 26 programme sustaining more than 4,000 jobs in total across the UK, helping to support the nation’s economic recovery by maintaining much-needed skills and capabilities.
More than £1bn has been invested across the programme’s supply chain to date, with more than 100 suppliers globally.
The contract awards come as construction on the final unit of the first Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow, begins. All 57 units of the anti-submarine warfare ship are now under construction.
Contracts are awarded in Glasgow to Denholm Industrial Services for surface preparation and painting and the Malin Group for vessel load-out and float-off, with three more agreed south of the border.
Steve Timms, BAE Systems naval ships managing director, said: “It is a once in a generation opportunity for us.
“It’s great to be able to see the momentum continue with all the units of the first in class HMS Glasgow now in construction.
“This represents a big moment for us. All the major building blocks for HMS Glasgow are now in production and it is also really encouraging to see the wider impact that the Type 26 has on the UK supply chain as part of the announcement that we are making.
“Each of the new contracts will contribute to essential work on the programme as HMS Glasgow now moves through construction to outfit phase in readiness for the first time into the water in 2022.
