UK firm wins contract for aircraft carriers

Mar 10, 2003
Author: P&S

Britain’s Royal Navy has given assurances that two new aircraft carriers will be built in the United Kingdom.

The UK’s BAE Systems and other UK companies will perform the majority of the almost £2Bn contract, with a French company Thales handling some of the design and systems work.

The two ships are intended to replace HMS Illustrious, HMS Invincible and HMS Ark Royal. Each will have a length of 290m and a gross tonnage of 60,000t and will become the largest warships ever built in the UK.

Each ship will be able to carry up to 48 of the new joint strike fighter aircraft. They will enter service during 1012 and 2015.