Giant carrier deals to be signed

karym6

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The Ministry of Defence is expected to sign contracts for the creation of the UK's biggest ever aircraft carriers.

The 65,000-ton ships, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will cost a total of £4bn.

Work on the two vessels is to go to shipyards at Govan in Glasgow and Rosyth in Fife, as well as Barrow in Furness and Portsmouth.

The ships - 280 metres long and capable of carrying up to 40 planes - are due in service in 2014 and 2016.

Each ship will be a similar size to the ocean liner, the QE2, with a flight deck the size of three football pitches.

This will make them more than three times the size of the existing Invincible-class carriers.


Promotional video about the navy's new aircraft carriers

Each vessel will be crewed by 1,450 sailors and airmen.

The building of the two aircraft carriers is expected to create or secure a total of 10,000 jobs across the UK, including 4,600 in Scotland and 400 in Barrow-in-Furness.

Although both will eventually carry the new Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, those will not be ready on time for when the ships enter service.

This means that at first, the ships will carry the ageing Harrier aircraft instead. HMS ELIZABETH AND HMS PRINCE OF WALES
Displacement: 65,000 tonnes
Length: 280m (920ft)
Width (at flight-deck level): 70m (230ft)
Keel to masthead: 56m (184ft)
Nine decks (plus flight deck)
Speed: 25+ knots
Range: 8,000-10,000 miles
Aircraft: 36 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and four Airborne Early Warning aircraft, plus EH 101 Merlin helicopters
Crew: 1,450 (including air crew)
Weapons: Phalanx close-in weapon systems; 30mm and mini-guns
Source: Ministry of Defence

'Bigger punch'

The First Sea Lord, Adm Sir Jonathon Band, told the BBC: "The reason for the size is that we've determined that we need to be able to put a weight of airpower on them from strike aeroplanes, and that has therefore determined their tonnage and their size.

"Basically, they'll just be able to pack a bigger punch, whether it be on a humanitarian operation or whether it be a full-blown strike operation."

BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the Navy sees the new carriers as its future flagships to replace Ark Royal and Illustrious, transforming Britain's ability to operate in hostile waters.

Our correspondent added that the project is going ahead despite serious misgivings among some in the military about the huge financial burden they will place on a defence budget already under severe pressure. She said the enormous cost of the carriers was likely to mean cuts in other equipment funds.

The number of Type 45 destroyers promised has shrunk from eight to six, with some worried the Navy will struggle to find enough frigates, destroyers and submarines to protect the carriers.

The Army and RAF are also expecting cuts to their own plans for vital new equipment.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7486683.stm
 
is this good news? I am not sure, its definitely good news for the areas in which they will be built, and I would imagine that these carriers will benefit from the possible future purchase of the F35. But like the article mentions, other parts of the armed services may well be left feeling the pinch as a result.

At least the navy should be back up to strength with these, and the new destroyers in a few years time.
 
for those of you reading this and are a little confused as to why tony has posted the same link as me, the article I posted earlier this morning has been updated to reflect that the contract has now been signed..
 
Yup, I would have to agree with that.

I wonder if we really need such strength like this?
 
but for how long? Once they are built, thats it surely?

True. I meant a knock on effect in other areas (Not Ship building). For instance, I work in the Space/Military business at component level and know the company I work for might benefit from suppying parts for the naval radar.

I see that THALES UK and BAE Systems are mentioned in the article so they might be looking to recruit to help satisfy the orders they have obviously been promised?
 
hopefully the work will continue afterwards

With this, and the type 45, hopefully the area will get a good name for naval ship building again.
 
what is it with this constant military news. are we off to war or something .... if so u can count me out, as i'm not daft and it's not my mess

this is a theory of mine. why the credit crunch, rising food and fuel prices is happening (amongst a great many other things) .. to pay for a coming war. which would probably be the third of three. have a goosie at h**p://www.threeworldwars.com/albert-pike.htm. firefox says that site is a virus but it isn't, trust me. and if you're gonna bitch it make sure you read it all first.

:Cheers:
 
what is it with this constant military news. are we off to war or something .... if so u can count me out, as i'm not daft and it's not my mess

this is a theory of mine. why the credit crunch, rising food and fuel prices is happening (amongst a great many other things) .. to pay for a coming war. which would probably be the third of three. have a goosie at h**p://www.threeworldwars.com/albert-pike.htm. firefox says that site is a virus but it isn't, trust me. and if you're gonna bitch it make sure you read it all first.

:Cheers:

A bit parnioa there. I think its crucial we have a top notch military and the hardware to go with it.
Having the tools and the firepower acts as a deternt to all these rogue states.
I would be happy to see us have all the military might and never see it used. Buit i fear without it we would be vulnarable.
The British armed forces are imv the best in the world and thank God we have men and Women brave enough to lay there life on the line for our peace and liberty
 
Without a doubt, our service men and women are the best in the world. But maybe we should be looking after them with improved equipment instead of new aircraft carriers?
 
Without a doubt, our service men and women are the best in the world. But maybe we should be looking after them with improved equipment instead of new aircraft carriers?

Both m8 thats what i say.
 
A bit parnioa there.

I dont think so.

I think its crucial we have a top notch military and the hardware to go with it.

Agreed.

Having the tools and the firepower acts as a deternt to all these rogue states.

No it empowers us.

I would be happy to see us have all the military might and never see it used.

Same here.

Buit i fear without it we would be vulnarable.

To what?

The British armed forces are imv the best in the world and thank God we have men and Women brave enough to lay there life on the line for our peace and liberty

lambs to the slaughter more like ;(
 
A bit parnioa there.

I dont think so.

I think its crucial we have a top notch military and the hardware to go with it.

Agreed.

Having the tools and the firepower acts as a deternt to all these rogue states.

No it empowers us.

I would be happy to see us have all the military might and never see it used.

Same here.

Buit i fear without it we would be vulnarable.

To what?

The British armed forces are imv the best in the world and thank God we have men and Women brave enough to lay there life on the line for our peace and liberty

lambs to the slaughter more like ;(

Remember Hitler m8 im sure there are more like him in the world
 
I think one of the points above it a little incorrect - our soldiers dont have the best hardware.

I would also hesitantly agree that firepower doesnt act as a deterrent, the suicide attacks in London and NYC were not scared at all by their victims armies.

Is it possible we need to reconsider the role of the armed forces? Dont forget, many armies in the world are still on a cold war climb down.
 
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