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DEFENCE: Periscope firm wins £169 million submarine contract

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HMS AUDACIOUS ARRIVES AT CLYDE HOME HMS Audacious, the fourth of the Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarines, has arrived at her new home at HM Naval Base Clyde. The new submarine and her 98-strong crew arrived at the Naval Base in Argyll and Bute today (April 7), flying the White Ensign after sailing from BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. Welcoming the vessel to her new home were members of the Submarine Flotilla – SUBFLOT – based at Clyde. “It is with great excitement that we welcome HMS Audacious to the Clyde, joining her three sister submarines,” said Commodore Jim Perks OBE, Head of the Submarine Service. “HMS Audacious represents an ever improving example of the world-leading Astute class submarine. She is right at the cutting-edge of technology, built here in the UK by our own people. She will provide the country with remarkable security at sea to protect our nation’s interests.” HMS Audacious will join sister-submarines HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful which are already in-service and operating from Faslane. A further three boats – named Anson, Agamemnon and Agincourt - are currently under construction at BAE in Barrow. The Astute-class vessels are among the most sophisticated submarines ever constructed for the RoyalNavy.

Dreadnought submarine
Thales will manufacture optronic masts for the new Dreadnought submarine class

A £169 million contract for the UK nuclear deterrent programme will support more than 150 jobs in Scotland.

The order will see Thales Glasgow continue a 100-year tradition of making periscopes for Royal Navy submarines based at Faslane on the Gareloch.

The site in Govan will build the integrated optronic combat system mast, the above water “eyes”, for the future nuclear deterrent class Dreadnought.

Every Royal Navy submarine since 1917 has carried a Thales periscope or optronics mast made on the Clyde.

The Dreadnought version continues the tradition and the wider programme, from design through to build, will sustain around 30,000 jobs across the UK.

The work will guarantee 150 jobs at Thales.

The deal was announced as Scottish Secretary Alister Jack prepared to chair a working group of Scottish defence companies, armed forces and and trade body ADS, in a bid to “turbocharge” Scotland’s defence sector.

Mr Jack, pictured right,  said Scottish “skills, expertise and innovation” made a massive contribution to the UK’s defence industry.

He added: “With more than a century’s experience of building periscopes and optronic masts for our submarines, it’s great news that Thales’ Glasgow workforce will once again be at the forefront of producing the state-of-the-art combat system mast for our round the clock nuclear deterrent.

“Defence plays a crucial part in the security of the United Kingdom and also contributes significantly to delivering high-skilled jobs and investment in Scotland.”

‘Another milestone’

Thales will fulfil the contract for BAE Systems Submarines.

It is already on contract to build the ultra-powerful Sonar 2076 system for the Dreadnought class which now means it will be providing the boat’s “eyes and ears” behind the platform’s operational capability.

Alex Cresswell, CEO of Thales in the UK, said: “We are extremely proud to say that our combat system mast and sonar will be providing the eyes and ears capabilities of the new Dreadnought Class.

“The boat build, led by BAE Systems and partners, will be another milestone showcase of UK engineering skills and innovation.”

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