With Northern Ireland-based shipbuilders Harland and Wolff (H&W) entering administration, the notion of a revitalised UK naval manufacturing capability has taken another blow following the announcement earlier in the year of the drawdown and closure of Babcock’s Appledore facility. 

Shipbuilding has formed a central theme around UK defence commentary for a number of years, particularly with the apparent need to rejuvenate the sector as outlined in Sir John Parker’s report to the UK government in 2016, much of which was ...