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Giant carrier deals to be signed Giant carrier deals to be signed
(about 4 hours later)
The Ministry of Defence is expected to sign contracts for the creation of the UK's biggest ever aircraft carriers.The Ministry of Defence is expected to sign contracts for the creation of the UK's biggest ever aircraft carriers.
The 65,000-ton ships, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will cost a total of £4bn.The 65,000-ton ships, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will cost a total of £4bn.
Work on the two vessels is to go to shipyards at Govan in Glasgow and Rosyth in Fife, as well as Barrow in Furness and Portsmouth.Work on the two vessels is to go to shipyards at Govan in Glasgow and Rosyth in Fife, as well as Barrow in Furness and Portsmouth.
The ships - 280 metres long and capable of carrying up to 40 planes - are due in service in 2014 and 2016.The ships - 280 metres long and capable of carrying up to 40 planes - are due in service in 2014 and 2016.
Each ship will be a similar size to the ocean liner, the QE2, with a flight deck the size of three football pitches. Each ship will be a similar size to the ocean liner, the QE2, with a flight deck the size of three football pitches.Advertisement
HMS ELIZABETH AND HMS PRINCE OF WALES Displacement: 65,000 tonnesLength: 280m (920ft)Width (at flight-deck level): 70m (230ft)Keel to masthead: 56m (184ft)Nine decks (plus flight deck)Speed: 25+ knotsRange: 8,000-10,000 milesAircraft: 36 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and four Airborne Early Warning aircraft, plus EH 101 Merlin helicoptersCrew: 1,450 (including air crew)Weapons: Phalanx close-in weapon systems; 30mm and mini-guns Source: Ministry of Defence Promotional video about the navy's new aircraft carriers
This will make them more than three times the size of the existing Invincible-class carriers.This will make them more than three times the size of the existing Invincible-class carriers.
Each vessel will be crewed by 1,450 sailors and airmen.Each vessel will be crewed by 1,450 sailors and airmen.
The building of the two aircraft carriers is expected to secure a total of 10,000 jobs across the UK.The building of the two aircraft carriers is expected to secure a total of 10,000 jobs across the UK.
Although both will eventually carry the new Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, those will not be ready on time for when the ships enter service. Although both will eventually carry the new Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, those will not be ready on time for when the ships enter service. HMS ELIZABETH AND HMS PRINCE OF WALES Displacement: 65,000 tonnesLength: 280m (920ft)Width (at flight-deck level): 70m (230ft)Keel to masthead: 56m (184ft)Nine decks (plus flight deck)Speed: 25+ knotsRange: 8,000-10,000 milesAircraft: 36 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and four Airborne Early Warning aircraft, plus EH 101 Merlin helicoptersCrew: 1,450 (including air crew)Weapons: Phalanx close-in weapon systems; 30mm and mini-guns Source: Ministry of Defence
This means that at first, the ships will carry the ageing Harrier aircraft instead.This means that at first, the ships will carry the ageing Harrier aircraft instead.
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the Navy sees the new carriers as its future flagships to replace Ark Royal and Illustrious, transforming Britain's ability to operate in hostile waters.BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the Navy sees the new carriers as its future flagships to replace Ark Royal and Illustrious, transforming Britain's ability to operate in hostile waters.
Our correspondent added that the project is going ahead despite serious misgivings among some in the military about the huge financial burden they will place on a defence budget already under severe pressure. Our correspondent added that the project is going ahead despite serious misgivings among some in the military about the huge financial burden they will place on a defence budget already under severe pressure. She said the enormous cost of the carriers was likely to mean cuts in other equipment funds.
The number of Type 45 destroyers promised has shrunk from eight to six, with some worried the Navy will struggle to find enough frigates, destroyers and submarines to protect the carriers.The number of Type 45 destroyers promised has shrunk from eight to six, with some worried the Navy will struggle to find enough frigates, destroyers and submarines to protect the carriers.
The Army and RAF are also expecting cuts to their own plans for vital new equipment.The Army and RAF are also expecting cuts to their own plans for vital new equipment.