Upgrades at the Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish sites will fund advanced facilities, technology, and workforce training to modernise UK shipbuilding and industrial capabilities. This integration is not just about combining companies but creating a platform for sovereign defence and clean energy. Navantia UK, a subsidiary of Spanish state-owned Navantia, specialises in naval construction and offshore wind projects.
BAE has had plenty of opportunity to buy one or more of these sites in and not been interested. There was a brief interest in Appledore before Babcock took over for the carriers briefly. The last ship to be built was the Anvil Point for Andrew Weir Shipping and I had the please to weld the name on the fwd end of the last ship to be built then.
The business went into Administration so the laws governing this process are strict with outside parties offered to express their interest, which is followed by a confidential engagement procedure.
They already have invested heavily, which is ongoing on the Clyde and Barrow. Whilst part of me naturally would have proffered a U. Babcock are similar at Rosyth and Devonport but also losing money on the T Anyone who looks at what they are buying and at the NSBS will realise that there is a pipeline of future work that can only be built at Belfast due to the sizes involved.
Not really their thing, this yard will need to get a lot of non navy work to thrive and that is not of interest to Bae nor its specialisation not to mention the complexities for it should there be a united Ireland down the line. I hope the offshore wind projects can generate a substantial amount of work for these yards as there is little chance for any more naval contracts after the FSSS are delivered.
