MOD gives go-ahead to Royal Navy Construction - 12-05-2008 - 16:29

Construction of two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy looks set to go-ahead after it was revealed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will commit to the £4 billion programme next week.

BAE Systems and VT Group PLC, the two companies behind the construction of the carriers, can expect to receive a contract in the middle of next month, the Financial Times reports.

It is believed construction had long been delayed due to MoD indecision about the carriers and the formation of the shipbuilding joint venture.

Speculation has also been rife that the programme was set to fall victim to defence cuts, but other "less high profile" projects may now fall by the wayside instead, the newspaper suggested.

It comes after PremAir announced it is to move from Blackbushe airport in Surrey to Oxford airport in September.

The switch may create engineering jobs in the area, as PremAir seeks to enhance its fixed-wing maintenance operations.

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