Engineering news
Royal Navy’s largest warship, HMS Ocean, will receive a £65 million upgrade, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
The contract for the upgrade work on the helicopter carrier, which was moored on the Thames during the Olympic Games and provided essential security support, has been awarded to UK maritime support specialists Babcock.
The work will be carried out at Babcock's Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth, securing 300 jobs.
Over 70 contractors will also be involved in the project, securing a further 300 jobs across the country.
The refit is expected to last 15 months, with upgrades and improvements made to the radar, gun, command system and living quarters.
Around 1,200 metres of new pipe work will be laid and 100,000 litres of paint will be applied to HMS Ocean.
The project will be largest upkeep programme of its kind to be carried out Devonport in more than 20 years.
Minister for defence, equipment, support and technology Philip Dunne said: “HMS Ocean plays a crucial role supporting operations as we saw during the Olympics and the Libya campaign and it is essential that we continue to invest in the upkeep of this formidable vessel.
“I am delighted that this contract will not only ensure that HMS Ocean remains a significant, highly-flexible, and capable warship for years to come, but will also secure hundreds of jobs within the UK.”
Vice Admiral Andrew Mathews, Chief of Materiel (Fleet) for the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, commented: “Since entering service HMS Ocean has delivered comprehensive support to countless military operations as well as humanitarian and disaster relief missions.
“This extensive refit programme is essential in ensuring that this magnificent ship is able to continue in her role supporting and protecting the UK’s interests across the globe.”
HMS Ocean played an integral role in the Libya campaign launching Apache attack helicopters from her deck to attack Libyan ground defences, the first time Apaches had been launched from a Royal Navy warship.
