Three New Patrol Vessels to Be Built on the Clyde

More than 800 Scottish jobs have been safeguarded thanks to a £348 million MoD contract to build three new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Navy on the Clyde.

The vessels, which will be used by the Royal Navy to undertake various tasks in support of UK interests both at home and abroad, will be built at BAE Systems’ shipyards. 

Announcing the contract, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

“UK warships are only built in UK shipyards. This multi-million pound contract shows our commitment to investing in new ships for the Royal Navy and maintaining in the UK the expertise needed to build the warships of the future.  It will benefit the dedicated workers of the Clyde, their families and the local economy in Glasgow.

“This sort of investment by the UK Government is vital for the sustainment of shipbuilding in the city and the hundreds of specialist manufacturing and engineering roles that play an important role in providing war fighting capability for the Royal Navy.” 

Featuring a redesigned flight deck to operate the latest Merlin helicopters as well as increased storage and accommodation facilities, the OPVs build on the proven capability of the Royal Navy’s current River Class vessels. 

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury will today visit the BAE Systems site alongside Defence Equipment Minister Philip Dunne to meet some of the employees who will be involved in manufacturing the vessels when work begins this autumn.