BAE Systems picks 14 companies for Type 26 construction

BAE Systems has announced the selection of further 14 companies for work on the UK’s future Type 26 Global Combat Ship.

According to BAE, the new contracts will support around 550 jobs and bring the total investment in the supply chain to more than £500m.

The largest of the new contracts are for the procurement of structural steel for the first three ships from UK and European steel mills by Dent Steel Services Ltd from its Bradford, UK facility, and sonar components critical to the ship’s anti-submarine warfare role, which are to be manufactured by Thales in Cheadle and Tods Defence from their Portland, UK facility.

BAE Systems’ Maritime Services was also awarded the contract for manufacturing the Artisan Radar 997, for Type 26, assembly of which will take place in Cowes, UK.

A total of 34 companies across the maritime supply chain will be working with BAE Systems to deliver the Type 26 ships.

“Tods Defence is honoured to have been selected to design and manufacture the composite bow sonar domes, a highly sophisticated acoustically tuned part of the sonar system,” said Pete Eckersall, Vice President and Managing Director of Tods Defence. “Our team has spent many years honing the talent and expertise required to produce such a critical component and we are privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of this prestigious programme.”