Carriers

[Tab]

I was reading today that the contract HAS been signed for the building of these two new warships

[London Boy]

I see no ships! Ya gotta link there for us mate?

[_chris]

Industry is now expected to proceed with forming a joint venture company that will help build two new super aircraft carriers after the Ministry of Defence announced today, Tuesday 20 May 2008, that it was ready to go ahead with the contract signature.

The carriers, to be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will be the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK. Once they enter service in 2014 and 2016 respectively they are expected to remain in the fleet for up to fifty years.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said:

"The two aircraft carriers will provide our front line 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."

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor, added:

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

The Joint Venture, to be formed by BAE Systems and VT Group, will be a key member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance of companies which will construct and assemble the new carriers at shipyards in Portsmouth, Barrow-in-Furness, Glasgow and Rosyth. First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, said:

"I am of course delighted with today's news which, when the Joint Venture is formed, will enable the Ministry of Defence and industry to sign the contract for the two new aircraft carriers. These ships with their aircraft will transform the UK's defence capabilities when they enter service, delivering air power in support of the full range of future operations at sea, in the air and on land."

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Defen ... oAhead.htm

[stever]

excuse my lack of knowledge on matters navy
but are these the carriers the french were building for us ??
also they were not long enough for jsf

[Tab]

They are being built in Britain I think it is mainly to provide work over the next few years in a number of Labour MPs Wards.