The UK government on 10 March published a long-awaited refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) that features a pipeline detailing a 30-year timeline for all government vessels displacing more than 150t.
In what may be seen as a worrying development for shipbuilders, the document states that decisions on the procurement approach for each type of RN ship ‘will be determined on a case-by-case basis’, seemingly opening up the potential to build warships in foreign shipyards.
The revised NSS states: ‘As well as considering the specific capability requirements, the MoD will consider the long-term industrial impact of different options, including delivering value for money