Harland & Wolff (Appledore) in North Devon has been selected by the UK Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) to regenerate former Royal Navy mine-hunting vessel HMS Quorn.
HMS Quorn completed 27 years of service with the Royal Navy before being sold to Lithuania in April 2020 and is scheduled to be handed over to the Lithuanian Navy in 2024.
Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin said: “I’m pleased that this multi-million pound contract will see a former Royal Navy mine-hunting vessel restored and regenerated in a British shipyard, supporting UK jobs and strengthening shipbuilding in the south-west.
“Lithuania is a key NATO ally and Joint Expeditionary Force partner, and this mine-hunting vessel will bolster NATO maritime capability across Europe, ensuring the Alliance remains ready to respond to evolving global threats.”
Head of DESA Commodore Richard Whalley said: “This contract award reinforces our excellent working relationship that we have with Lithuania as our NATO ally as well as UK owned Harland & Wolff. We’re really pleased to see HMS QUORN refurbished in Appledore Shipyard and look forward to continuing our work with them supporting the British supply chain.”
Group chief executive officer of Harland & Wolff John Wood said: “I am thrilled that we have been awarded the M55 Contract. This is a watershed moment.
“This contract has provided the breakthrough that we needed to activate the fifth and final element of our business strategy – the key market of defence. Our strategy has been well and truly validated and we intend to capitalise on this win through bidding on and securing further government contracts.
“The extended process to win the M55 contract enabled us to showcase the technical and commercial capabilities of the entire group and has now provided the MoD with a credible alternative to the existing industry base. This contract is validation that the government can go elsewhere, recognising the investment and progress made over the last two years to put Harland & Wolff in a position to execute on such programmes. Our eyes are now set on delivering this contract and executing on our pipeline as we continue to build momentum, credibility and a high-performing, experienced workforce.”
The £55 million contract will support 100 jobs at Harland & Wolff (Appledore) and bolster ambitions to bolster British shipbuilding as laid out in the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh.
Work on the vessel will includeg upgrades to the ship’s mission and sonar systems, and an additional search and rescue capability. The contract will also add new main engines, generators and propulsion gear as well as refurbish the accommodation, hull, ancillary systems, electrical systems and painting.
• Details harland-wolff.com/facilities/appledore/