26 Oct 2007 | Ref. 338/2007
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Liam Fox MP visits Astute
Barrow, UK - Dr Liam Fox, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, praised the skills and dedication of workers at the BAE Systems Barrow shipyard on Wednesday during a visit to see progress on the Astute submarine programme.
Dr Fox met BAE Systems Submarine Solutions managing director Murray Easton and union representatives before visiting the 25,000m² Devonshire Dock Hall where the submarines are built.
He explained: “Seeing one of the submarines up close gives you a real feel for the engineering excellence which is evident here in Barrow and the dazzling complexity of the project which is absolutely awe inspiring.
“One often looks at our Armed Forces’ equipment purely in operational terms, without considering the industrial ingenuity and skill which goes into creating that equipment.”
The Astute nuclear powered attack submarine will be the most advanced vessel of its kind ever deployed by the Royal Navy when it enters service in 2009, and has been described as a more complex engineering challenge than the space shuttle. Four Astute class submarines are currently being built at the Barrow shipyard.
After a tour on board the second Astute-class vessel, Ambush, whose hull is now almost complete, Dr Fox said he was hugely impressed by the scale of the project, and praised the evident enthusiasm and commitment of the workforce, which, he said, it would be great to see reflected across the whole country.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15 billion (US $27 billion) in 2006*.
*On a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings Inc for the whole of 2006
For further information please contact:
Chris Nelson, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0) 1229 875975 Mobile: + 44 (0)7793 422810
chris.nelson@baesystems.com
Stephen Bethel, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0) 1252 384029 Mob: + 44 (0) 7793 426328
Stephen.bethel@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384605 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
