This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/8035761.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Navy base faces losing frigates | Navy base faces losing frigates |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Seven of the 11 naval frigates based at Devonport, in Plymouth, could be relocated, possibly to Portsmouth. | Seven of the 11 naval frigates based at Devonport, in Plymouth, could be relocated, possibly to Portsmouth. |
| Three of its Trafalgar class attack submarines will also be transferred to Faslane in Scotland, Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said. | Three of its Trafalgar class attack submarines will also be transferred to Faslane in Scotland, Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said. |
| But Devonport could also become the main UK centre for major refits of surface ships. | But Devonport could also become the main UK centre for major refits of surface ships. |
| The move is part of a shake-up in which Portsmouth will host the next generation of frigates. | The move is part of a shake-up in which Portsmouth will host the next generation of frigates. |
| DEVONPORT Four miles of waterfront650 acresRefuels and refits four Vanguard-class submarinesHome to: Four Type 22 and seven Type 23 frigatesSeven Trafalgar class submarinesThree amphibious assault shipsFlag Officer Sea Training (FOST) base | DEVONPORT Four miles of waterfront650 acresRefuels and refits four Vanguard-class submarinesHome to: Four Type 22 and seven Type 23 frigatesSeven Trafalgar class submarinesThree amphibious assault shipsFlag Officer Sea Training (FOST) base |
| It is the result of the Maritime Change Programme, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) review to improve "efficiency and effectiveness" which started 22 months ago. | |
| Mr Ainsworth said that, subject to MoD investment decisions, Portsmouth will be home to the new class of frigates, known as the Future Surface Combatant (FSC). | |
| They will be berthed alongside the new Type 45 destroyers currently being introduced to service as well as the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers currently on order. | They will be berthed alongside the new Type 45 destroyers currently being introduced to service as well as the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers currently on order. |
| Mr Ainsworth said the seven Type 23 frigates based at Devonport would stay there for at least five years and then they could move to Portsmouth and the four larger Type 22 frigates would remain in Plymouth. | Mr Ainsworth said the seven Type 23 frigates based at Devonport would stay there for at least five years and then they could move to Portsmouth and the four larger Type 22 frigates would remain in Plymouth. |
| Ministry of Defence statement in full (28K) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader here | Ministry of Defence statement in full (28K) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader here |
| Three of the newer Trafalgar class submarines, which are currently maintained and fuelled at Devonport, will relocate to Faslane, while four will stay at Devonport. | Three of the newer Trafalgar class submarines, which are currently maintained and fuelled at Devonport, will relocate to Faslane, while four will stay at Devonport. |
| Mr Ainsworth said the majority of surface ship major refits will go to Devonport, subject to commercial negotiations with Devonport's owners Babcock Marine. | |
| Babcock Marine welcomed the announcement, saying it would allow it to "rationalise facilities and resources". | |
| Del Northcott, from one of the base's unions, Prospect, said: "Potentially it is a good result, but there is no indication of when and how big these refits will be." | Del Northcott, from one of the base's unions, Prospect, said: "Potentially it is a good result, but there is no indication of when and how big these refits will be." |
| Devonport - the naval base and the commercial dockyards - is estimated to support about 24,000 jobs, according to a University of Plymouth study. | |
| The cloud of uncertainty continues to hang over us MP Gary Streeter | The cloud of uncertainty continues to hang over us MP Gary Streeter |
| On Tuesday, during a debate on Devonport's future, Mr Ainsworth promised MPs that the workforce of about 4,500 would stay "roughly" the same. | On Tuesday, during a debate on Devonport's future, Mr Ainsworth promised MPs that the workforce of about 4,500 would stay "roughly" the same. |
| Tim Jones, chairman of Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said: "It's better news than I was expecting. | Tim Jones, chairman of Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said: "It's better news than I was expecting. |
| "We can now see a secure future for Devonport for at least the next 15 or 20 years." | "We can now see a secure future for Devonport for at least the next 15 or 20 years." |
| South Devon MP Gary Streeter said: "The cloud of uncertainty continues to hang over us. | South Devon MP Gary Streeter said: "The cloud of uncertainty continues to hang over us. |
| "They are celebrating in Portsmouth and Faslane, but not in Plymouth." | "They are celebrating in Portsmouth and Faslane, but not in Plymouth." |
| The base and dockyards support 24,000 local jobs, it is claimed | The base and dockyards support 24,000 local jobs, it is claimed |
| Plymouth Devonport MP Alison Seabeck said: "This will bring more work to the dockyard because these refits are complex and time consuming. | Plymouth Devonport MP Alison Seabeck said: "This will bring more work to the dockyard because these refits are complex and time consuming. |
| "This will also help us to retain a good skills base." | "This will also help us to retain a good skills base." |
| Devonport Naval Base Commander, Commodore Ian Jess, said: "Devonport will long continue to play an integral role in support of the Royal Navy." | Devonport Naval Base Commander, Commodore Ian Jess, said: "Devonport will long continue to play an integral role in support of the Royal Navy." |
| Devonport will also remain the dedicated home for the amphibious fleet and survey vessels along with a force of Royal Marines' landing craft and personnel. | Devonport will also remain the dedicated home for the amphibious fleet and survey vessels along with a force of Royal Marines' landing craft and personnel. |
| This looks to be very good news for Portsmouth Portsmouth MP Mike Hancock | This looks to be very good news for Portsmouth Portsmouth MP Mike Hancock |
| Mr Ainsworth said: "We undertook this extensive review to ensure that we match the infrastructure in place at the naval bases to the needs of the Royal Navy of the future. | Mr Ainsworth said: "We undertook this extensive review to ensure that we match the infrastructure in place at the naval bases to the needs of the Royal Navy of the future. |
| "By locating our aircraft carriers, Type 45 Destroyers and the first and most complex war fighting variant of the planned next generation of frigates here in Portsmouth, the naval base will build on its strengths and the duplication of facilities elsewhere will be reduced." | "By locating our aircraft carriers, Type 45 Destroyers and the first and most complex war fighting variant of the planned next generation of frigates here in Portsmouth, the naval base will build on its strengths and the duplication of facilities elsewhere will be reduced." |
| Mike Hancock, Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South and member of the parliamentary defence select committee, said: "This looks to be very good news for Portsmouth. | Mike Hancock, Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South and member of the parliamentary defence select committee, said: "This looks to be very good news for Portsmouth. |
| "The naval base is particularly important to the city in these difficult economic times and I believe it will go from strength to strength." | "The naval base is particularly important to the city in these difficult economic times and I believe it will go from strength to strength." |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| Devonport navy base and dockyard are one of the main pillars of the region's economy | Devonport navy base and dockyard are one of the main pillars of the region's economy |