Source: The Guardian
By Jamie Doward
Fears are mounting that a billion-pound contract to build a new fleet of ships for the Royal Navy could go to a Japanese company. The move would trigger dismay in UK military circles and would be seen as a major setback for the country’s shipyards, struggling with dwindling order books.
It could also have political consequences as a decision to award the contract to an overseas firm might damage the government.
The National Shipbuilding Strategy makes it clear that Royal Navy warships must be built in the UK for reasons of national security. But ministers confirmed in parliament last week that the new fleet solid support ships, which will carry ammunition and explosives, will not be classed as “warships”, which means they can be built by companies outside the UK.
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