£1.3bn Royal Navy deal for BAE Systems

BAE Systems has won two contracts from the Ministry of Defence which will see the firm continuing to play a pivotal role at Portsmouth Naval Base.

The first deal, worth £900m, will see BAE continuing to maintain and repair the entire naval fleet in Portsmouth, including the navy’s two new aircraft carriers HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth, according to The News.

The second contract, worth £356m, will see BAE joining forces with tech firm KBR to modernise the naval base’s facilities and dockyard services as part of a new joint venture called KBS Maritime. BAE has already help the base cut its carbon emissions from 100,000 tonnes to 35,000 tonnes a year, through the introduction of new electric vehicles and the construction of its state-of-the-art combined heat and power plant which provides energy for the aircraft carriers while they’re alongside.

Leaders at BAE Systems say the ‘exciting’ five-year deal could bolster maritime firms across Portsmouth and the Solent area, who could be called in to help deliver key work at the naval base. David Mitchard, managing director of BAE Systems’ maritime services wing, says: “These new contracts will enable us to continue our vital role in supporting the Royal Navy, at home and abroad, building on our long history of delivery, investment and collaboration at Portsmouth Naval Base.”

The contracts will commence on October 1 following a brief transition period and form part of the MoD’s future maritime support programme competition.

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