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Post by Keith Heitmann on Jun 21, 2004 23:37:42 GMT -5
The plan is to build at least two new super carriers using a modular construction design. Two large new aircraft carriers, are currently anticipated to come into service with the Royal Navy in 2012 and 2015, to replace the ‘Invincible’ class with more capable vessels. The ships will cost over £3 billion. Details here: www.futureaircraftcarrier.co.uk/ |
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Post by Keith Heitmann on Jul 25, 2004 1:18:12 GMT -5
The government yesterday put off for a year the decision to go ahead with two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy and agreed to take the lion's share of the risk on the project, which defence officials described yesterday as costing "£3bn-ish".
The carriers, to be built at shipyards around the UK and employing 10,000 people at the peak of production, are due to enter service in late 2012 and 2015.
Industry sources said the government's target of meeting a budget of about £3bn was very challenging.
That cost, they said, originally covered two ships weighing 40,000 tonnes each, providing short take-off and vertical landing facilities for the new American-made Joint Strike Fighter.
However, they said, the MoD now wants ships of between 50,000 and 60,000 tonnes - the navy says they must be at least 55,000 - and they should be able to handle different versions of the JSF aircraft.
BAE Systems, one of the ships' constructors, has calculated that the cost of supplying the vessels will be closer to £4bn if the navy's new demands are met.
The final decision to proceed will now be taken more than two years after the project was unveiled in January 2003.
In a complex process, ministers have agreed with BAE and Franco-British group Thales that they will work within an alliance headed by a civil servant to try to deliver the ships on time and within budget.
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