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4th April 2002, Page 34
4th April 2002
Page 34
Page 34, 4th April 2002 — SEA
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Barrow-in-Furness is one of the most remote towns in England. it stands on a peninsula: the cold waters of the Irish Sea crash onto the beaches on the west of the town—look east and you see the snow-peaked mountains of the Lake District. The setting is certainly impressive, but Barrow is not your typical tourist destination. Quite the opposite, in fact. The local economy is dominated by shipbuilding—some of the most advanced warships and nuclear submarines in the world are made here.

Br[tain's maritime industry may be a shadow of what it once was, but first glimpses of Barrow indicate that UK shipbuilding is still very much alive and kicking. The massive outlines of two ships dominate the skyline to the west of the town.

Assault ships

The vessels are HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion, the Royal Navy's new class of assault ships. At the moment they are being fitted out at BAE

.7c Systems Marine's Barrow shipyard. (RAE Systems is the parent company, .4 formerly known as British Aerospace.) With a displacement of '4 over 18,000 tonnes and a length of 176m, these ships are impressive and so are their capabilities. Each of them will be able to carry 300 troops (up to 650 for short periods) as well as eight landing craft, helicopters, tanks and 70 support vehicles.

Shipbuilding of this scale is a costly affair. In 1996 the government placed a 2450m order for the two ships. As we discover, some of this cash is making 0

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Organisations: Royal Navy

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