National Shipbuilding Strategy

[jonas]

A small excerpt from yesterdays questions and answers in Parliament, so now we know it will be before the Autumn statement.

"

Does the Minister agree that opening up more of the procurement process to a broader range of suppliers, and avoiding any hint of protectionism, may make it possible to keep the cost of replacing our frigates low?
Harriett Baldwin


The hon. Gentleman takes a close interest in defence procurement issues, and I know that, like the rest of the House, he will be eagerly anticipating Sir John Parker’s national shipbuilding strategy, which he has committed himself to publishing before the autumn statement. In that context, the hon. Gentleman will obviously be aware that complex warships can only be built in the United Kingdom.

[seaspear]

Is there legislation to that statement about where complex ships are built,and does it cover designs and management from overseas as well on projects built in the U.K

[jonas]

Is there legislation to that statement about where complex ships are built,and does it cover designs and management from overseas as well on projects built in the U.K

Don't know about legislation, but later on in answer to another question Michael Fallon was quite unequivocal in his reply.

"

Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)

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The Secretary of State will be aware that the shipyards are in my constituency. The clear message from the workforce might best be conveyed by my paraphrasing Darth Vader: we want these ships, not excuses. Will the Secretary of State explain why, although the original timetable for the cutting of steel was May this year, it has not yet happened? May I ask him to speed up the process, so that ships can be built on the Clyde?.

Michael Fallon.

We would not be ordering any ships from the Clyde if Scotland had become independent last spring, because complex warships are only built in the United Kingdom. Let me be clear: this contract must be in the best interests of the taxpayer. I am aware of the need to sustain employment on the Clyde, which is why, last December, the strategic defence review announced the construction of two further offshore patrol vessels, in addition to the three that are currently being built on the Clyde.

[seaspear]

the best interest of the taxpayer and being locally built are not always the same thing ,if for example a tendered overseas design was found to be superior should it be constructed in the U.K?

[jonas]

the best interest of the taxpayer and being locally built are not always the same thing ,if for example a tendered overseas design was found to be superior should it be constructed in the U.K?

I don't think we would ever put out a tender for a complex warship design, to a foreign country. As I understand it, whereas under the current rules, we must put out to open tender for non 'military' vessels which includes RFA's. Warships are excluded from those rules, due to sensitive national interests.

No doubt someone will know far more about that than myself.

[marktigger]

I think the design would have to be exceptional and something BaE couldn't bodge

[clinch]

I posted this in the Royal Navy escorts thread as well.

Anyone seen that there's been a briefing paper published in the last few days? It's entitled 'The Royal Navy's new frigates and the national shipbuilding strategy'.

uk national shipbuilding strategy site:researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk

[ArmChairCivvy]

Today's debate on the timing of the T26 build prgrm made boring reading, but the Minister skillfully did NOT answer this question:

"
Brendan O'Hara

If the Minister is unable to give a date for when the steel will be cut on the Type 26s, will she at least confirm that the five general-purpose frigates will be built on the Clyde?"

[marktigger]

well hopefully the penny is droping that good old Uncle Sam isn't what he used to be and that the Russians are flexing their muscles so Naval numbers will need looking at and A whole new SDSR to reflect the change in world situation!

[ArmChairCivvy]

Requirement is one thing
.... Strategy is defined as the art of "How to"

[jonas]

Is the National Shipbuilding Strategy going to turn into one almighty can of worms :-

http://www.defencesynergia.co.uk/critiq ... tegy-nsbs/

[marktigger]

Is the National Shipbuilding Strategy going to turn into one almighty can of worms :-

http://www.defencesynergia.co.uk/critiq ... tegy-nsbs/

It's a government strategy so yes it will open a Can of worms. There will be and have been lobbying by the main players so stand by for teddies being thrown into a variety of corners. My hope is its not a stitch up to one supplier.

[whitelancer]

If the National Shipbuilding Strategy is just limited to complex warships, its hardly a National Strategy at all. Their is also the problem of what can it come up with given that submarine and T26 construction is effectively predetermined, that only leaves T31 that could be affected by anything that is contained within the strategy at least for the next 20 odd years.

[clinch]

Pessimistic critique of the National Shipbuilding Strategy at Defence Synergia.

http://www.defencesynergia.co.uk/critiq ... tegy-nsbs/

[marktigger]

when does Christmas recess start? how close the autumn statement are and the NSS are to recess is a good indication of how contraversial they are!

[Ron5]

The fact that it was commissioned by the Treasury and not the MoD or Business Ministry, should give a clue what it's about and what it will say.

Pinocchio Geo Osborne wanted a stick to beat Bae into lower T26 prices. So he paid for one. It will supply a Treasury view of the world and will be useless to business and damaging to the RN.

[bobp]

Very true Ron anything driven by the UK Treasury is all about saving money for pet projects.

[jonas]

Well we were told that the NSS would be published before the autumn statement which is on the 23rd, so they are cutting it very fine. Apparently the statement is doing the rounds of the relevant depts, before being released.

[inch]

looks like they not going to publish in time for the statement on the 23rd or they going to release so close to the day and going to be that bad that they hope it will be missed in the fog of hammonds first budget ,it does not look good tbh

[ArmChairCivvy]

Isnt it driven by one individual? So I expect better than the normal "bland" committee papers.

[Repulse]

Announcement due Monday:

Http://www.parliament.uk/business/commi ... ote-16-17/

[GibMariner]

Announcement due Monday:

Http://www.parliament.uk/business/commi ... ote-16-17/

I could be mistaken, but I believe this one is just a report on Defence Committee sessions and not Sir John Parker's 'National Shipbuilding Strategy'.

Call me a pessimist, but I wouldn't be surprised if the National Shipbuilding Strategy is released just before Hammond's autumn statement on Wednesday in order to bury any bad naval news.

[shark bait]

That page is very specific it will be released first thing Monday mornin

[GibMariner]

That page is very specific it will be released first thing Monday mornin

What I'm saying is that the description provided suggests that it is a report by the Defence Committee and not Sir John Parker's National Shipbuilding Strategy

[Caribbean]

That page is very specific it will be released first thing Monday mornin

What I'm saying is that the description provided suggests that it is a report by the Defence Committee and not Sir John Parker's National Shipbuilding Strategy

Indeed - to quote from the Committee description

Scope of the inquiry
The Committee is holding an inquiry into the procurement by the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship and the Type 45 Destroyer.

It looks more like a review of the procurement process to date.

We shall see