Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin urged the flotilla of Scottish businesses that helped build the UK’s largest ever warship to toast their achievement as Her Majesty the Queen formally commissioned her namesake HMS Queen Elizabeth, the nation’s future flagship, into the Royal Navy last week.
Alongside the sterling efforts of workers in Rosyth and Glasgow, many smaller Scottish companies played starring roles in constructing the massive carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth, and her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, which will sail from Rosyth in 2019.
The construction of the 280 metre-long Carriers would never have been possible without the essential work undertaken by small and medium sized enterprises (SME) from around Scotland and the UK.
Companies like Dunfermline-based Forth Marine Textiles whose team of just six created 20 containment tents, 100 PVC covers, 187 smoke curtains, and more than 1,000 retaining straps to safeguard our carriers from fire during their assembly.
Another was Midlothian-based engineering firm MacTaggart Scott, with 350 employees, which designed and manufactured the two aircraft lifts which are capable of simultaneously lifting two F35B Lightning II aircraft from their hangar to the flight deck.
Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin said: “On behalf of Defence, the government and the whole of the United Kingdom, I would like to thank the hundreds of businesses around the country for the millions of hours they’ve spent equipping our ships in what has been an immense nationwide enterprise.
“Their herculean efforts showcase our great British talent and saw HMS Queen Elizabeth complete her 2017 sea trials with flying colours as she prepares to project our interests right across the world.”
Forth Marine Textiles and MacTaggart Scott are just two of the over 700 British SME’s that have supported the build of the aircraft carriers in what has been a truly national endeavour. The programme has brought together the best of British industry, with construction involving more than 10,000 people including more than 800 apprentices.
Jerry Newbigging, Managing Director of Forth Marine, said: “There’s a real sense of pleasure and pride being associated with this programme, this expands not only within our company but the wider community, as Dunfermline has a long history with textiles and the shipyard itself. To be trusted with a project of this size has been really exciting for our small company and has allowed us to gain some really great recognition.”
Kevin Barnes, UK Business Manager of Loanhead-based MacTaggart Scott, added: “It means a great deal to MacTaggart Scott to be involved in the QE Class programme, knowing that our aircraft elevators are on the Royal Navy’s flagship is a real privilege and an excellent reference for the company in support of our export opportunities. We see the support of the elevators as a long-term commitment, which we will meet through the entire life of the ships.”
The MOD is aiming to help smaller business to secure future contracts through its new Supplier Portal, a dedicated Twitter account to flag opportunities to SMEs and simplified contracts for lower-value, less complex procurements.
In 2015/2016 the Ministry of Defence invested over £1.5bn in Scotland, supporting nearly 10,000 full-time jobs, and benefiting local economies.
Last year saw the MOD’s direct spend with SME’s increase by over 10% across the country as it continues to make it easier for them to win defence business.
Engineering Technician James Watson, from Moray in Scotland, who serves on HMS Queen Elizabeth, said: “I am proud to be part of the domestic services on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, making and distributing over 130,000 litres of fresh water per day to sustain up to 1600 personnel living on board this warship.”
Soon after the commissioning ceremony on Thursday 7th December, work will continue apace to ready Britain’s most advanced military vessel ever for the vital role it will play in projecting Britain’s influence around the world.
Next year the new F-35B Lightning II stealth jets, the most advanced warplane in the world, will start flight trials from the ship, and HMS Queen Elizabeth is on track to be fully deployable anywhere in the world by 2021.
Both of the UK’s aircraft carriers are being delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a unique partnering relationship between industry and the UK Ministry of Defence.
Her Majesty The Queen commissioned the UK’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth into the Royal Navy on Thursday (7 December).
The Queen spoke at a ceremony in Portsmouth Naval Base, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and military chiefs.
In her role as the ship’s Lady Sponsor Her Majesty addressed guests before the Ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Jerry Kyd, read the commissioning warrant.
The iconic White Ensign was then raised, symbolising the commissioning of the nation’s future flagship into the Royal Navy’s fleet.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said, “Today marks the start of a hugely significant chapter for the Royal Navy, and indeed the nation, as the future flagship is commissioned into Her Majesty’s fleet.
“It is an honour to witness the crowning moment of an extraordinarily busy year for the Royal Navy that has seen us name the second carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, cut steel on the first Type 26 frigates and launch the National Shipbuilding Strategy.”
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