Leander class Frigate maybe built on the Mersey

Cammell Laird CEO John Syvret CBE said the company, which is one of the UK’s largest and most successful commercial shipbuilder, is proposing an innovative frigate design, known as ‘Leander’, based on existing and proven BAE Systems’ naval ship designs which could see a dramatic uptick in shipbuilding activities in the once historic shipbuilding hub in the North West.

John Hudson, Managing Director, BAE Systems Maritime, commented: “We are pleased to be working with Cammell Laird with whom we have a strong and effective relationship, having worked with them on the Carrier and Astute programmes. We believe our expertise in warship design and engineering capability, combat management systems and export campaigns, together with Cammell Laird, means we are in an excellent position to contribute to the success of the Type 31e programme”.

Cammell Laird intends to design and build a world leading Type 31 Frigate that will meet the Royal Navy’s high specification and tight budget and will market the platform globally and capitalise on major export opportunities to Britain’s international allies around the world in conjunction with the Governments National Shipbuilding Strategy

The National Shipbuilding Strategy sees the Government accept Sir John Parker’s recommendations and step up to what he called a prospective ‘renaissance’ in British shipbuilding. Building on the Government’s industrial strategy, it outlines an ambition to transform the procurement of naval ships, make the UK’s maritime industry more competitive, grow the Royal Navy fleet by the 2030s, export British ships overseas, and boost innovation, skills, jobs, and productivity across the UK.

The strategy announced the Government’s plan to procure new Type 31e General Purpose Frigates. A price cap has been set of no more than ￡250M each for the first batch of five frigates. In line with standing UK policy on warships they will be built in the UK. They could be built in a way which could see them shared between yards and assembled at a central hub. The first ships are set to be in-service by 2023. Shipyards will be encouraged to work with global partners to ensure the vessel is competitive on the export market. . The Royal Navy has already published its outline specification for the Type 31e last year. The ￡250 Million-per-ship price cap that has been set for the project is remarkable. If the project can deliver a credible ship at this price it would be something of a miracle and represent the most affordable western frigate design on the international market.