Graeme Downie MP has pressed the Ministry of Defence for ensures on the way forward for Royal Navy shipbuilding, citing the financial significance of the Sort 31 frigate programme to his constituency.
Talking throughout defence questions on Thursday 26 June, Graeme Downie, Labour MP for Dunfermline and Greenback, requested the Minister of State for Defence when the federal government would make an announcement to “assure shipbuilding” and known as for additional frigate orders to maintain employment and funding at Rosyth.
“Because the minister says, the SDR spoke of the necessity for a provide of shipbuilding with the Royal Navy persevering with to maneuver in direction of a extra highly effective however cheaper and less complicated fleet,” stated Downie. “The minister has visited my constituency and seen the development of the frigates, with the primary ship HMS Venturer floated off, and one other one progressing properly.”
In response, Minister of State Maria Eagle stated she recognised the advantages of the Sort 31 programme to the native space and reaffirmed the federal government’s curiosity in export alternatives as a method of sustaining the construct line.
“I recognise the profit that building of Sort 31 frigates have delivered to his constituency,” Eagle stated. “I’ve engaged with worldwide companions to safe future orders as properly. Along with any orders that we might ourselves have, exporting this sort of functionality to our allies and pals is a smart means of creating certain that we are able to maintain manufacturing going up on the website.”
The Sort 31 frigates, constructed by Babcock at Rosyth beneath the Royal Navy’s Inspiration-class programme, kind a part of the UK’s effort to increase the floor fleet with inexpensive, exportable platforms. HMS Venturer, the lead ship, entered the water in June, with HMS Energetic and HMS Formidable in varied phases of building.
The remarks comply with the MoD’s current affirmation of a £65 million Functionality Insertion Interval contract for the Sort 31 fleet, and are the newest sign that ministers are leaning on export success to underwrite long-term continuity on the yard.