Feature 2 | AUXILIARIES


Korean yard wins MARS tanker competition


Te UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea is the preferred bidder for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) tanker programme.


Artist’s impression showing a MARS tanker refuelling a Type 45 destroyer. D


SME and partners, including BMT Defence Services, will provide the specialised design


and build for the four logistic support vessels, which are to be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). A number of British companies took


part in the competition to build the ships, but none submitted a final bid for the build contract. In light of this, the MoD said the best solution in terms of value for money for taxpayers was for the tankers to be constructed in South Korea. UK companies will however benefit


from £150 million (US$237 million) of associated contracts, including: £90 million of UK contracts for the provision of key equipment, systems, design and support services; and a £60 million investment in the UK from customisation,


Warship Technology May 2012


trials and specialist engineering support. Peter Luff, Minister for Defence


Equipment Support & Technology, says: “Over the next decade, the government will be investing billions of pounds in our maritime capabilities to ensure that our Royal Navy remains a formidable fighting force. Tis project will inject up to £150 million into UK industry, and support and maintenance will also be carried out in the UK. Te government remains committed to building complex warships in UK shipyards.” Commodore Bill Walworth, Head of the


RFA, says he is delighted the RFA will be able to operate what he describes as ‘world class vessels.’ “Tese fleet replenishment tankers will be flexible ships, able to operate with the Royal Navy and armed forces in conflict, and are designed to allow for upgrades


and emerging technologies, meaning that they have been designed with the future in mind,” he states. Te Chief of Defence Materiel, Bernard


Gray, notes that the competition for the contract “sought to engage shipbuilders from across the globe,” and “will offer the UK the best value for money.”


Flexible solution “The MARS tanker is an exceptionally versatile platform, able to simultaneously refuel an aircraſt carrier and destroyer whilst undertaking helicopter resupply of other vessels,” he says, noting that he is looking forward to the award of the contract and the work that will follow in the lead up to the delivery of the ships. “After an open, fair and rigorous competition involving bidders from around


21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36