Today’s defence related news includes coverage of the Minister for Defence Procurement’s visit to Portsmouth yesterday.
Queen Elizabeth carrier will be in Portsmouth ‘in weeks,’ Defence Minister says
Several media outlets, including BBC South Today and the Portsmouth News report on Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin’s visit to Portsmouth Naval Base yesterday. Media report that while visiting the base the Minister said that Britain’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, will be in Portsmouth within weeks. Reporting notes that Ms Baldwin said that Portsmouth is ready for the new carrier and paid tribute to the teams who have worked hard to complete the dredging of Portsmouth Harbour. Speaking yesterday, the Minister also announced a range of new contracts, including one for consumable items which is set to save £3 million in efficiencies and furnish a growing Royal Navy, and three agreements to support world-leading radar systems used by the UK’s Armed Forces.
Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said:
The route is clear for the Navy’s largest and most powerful ship to dock at its home in Portsmouth, but even ships as impressive as our magnificent new aircraft carriers need nuts and bolts to keep them running smoothly. This new contract will provide all the supplies our ships and personnel require to be effective on operations. This also brings the previous contract under one deal, delivering improved efficiencies and highlighting how we are being smarter about support. These efficiencies are ensuring that our £178 million Defence equipment plan is going towards the state-of-the-art kit our Armed Forces deserve.
You can read more about the announcements here.
Pictures from the visit can be viewed here.
You can read more about the dredging in Portsmouth Harbour here.
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