Production on HMS PRINCE OF WALES, the second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier, has started today at BAE Systems in Portsmouth Naval Base – the future home of the Queen Elizabeth Class.
Work on the forward section of the hull, known as Lower Block 02, commenced as Commander-in -Chief Fleet Admiral George Zambellas cut the first steel in a ceremony at the company’s production facility. The huge section, which will weigh around 6,000 tonnes upon completion, will house the ship’s machinery spaces, stores and switchboards, as well as some of the accommodation, including 85 cabins.
Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral George Zambellas, said:
“As Commander-in-Chief Fleet, I am honoured and delighted to be asked to cut the steel that will be form part of the mighty hull of HMS Prince of Wales, the second of the Royal Navy’s new 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers. Along with HMS Queen Elizabeth these two ships – each of which will be in service for over 50 years – lie at the heart of our national security posture. With the equipment that will operate from them, they will be pivotal to the UK’s ability to project power at range for decades to come.”
Mick Ord, Managing Director at BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, said:
“The steel cut for Lower Block 02 demonstrates the steady progress which continues to be made on the carrier programme.
As home of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, everyone here is hugely proud to be involved in one of the largest engineering projects in the UK today and excited that the ships will return to Portsmouth, as their home port once complete.”
As a member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, BAE Systems is working in partnership with Babcock, Thales UK and the Ministry of Defence to deliver the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK. The company has an overarching role in managing the QE Class programme, as well as playing a central role in the design and build of the ships.
For more information, please visit: http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/index.htm
or contact:
Kristina Crowe, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 239 289 6232 Mob: +44 (0)7540628673
kristina.crowe@baesystems.com
Gillian Churchill, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 141 957 2150 Mob: +44 (0)7540628325
gillian.churchill@baesystems.com
