Power Improvement Project Improves Class Resilience
BAE Systems, in conjunction with BMT Defence and Cammell Laird, has been awarded a £160 million (€183 million) contract to update the power and propulsion systems of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers.
Forming part of Project NAPIER, established in 2014 to address the reliability of existing equipment, the Power Improvement Project (PIP) will enhance the resilience of the Type 45 class by installing additional power generation sources in each ship. Delivered as a major conversion project, the PIP will replace the two existing generators with three larger units capable of delivering the ships’ propulsion. The contract covers the design and integration of the technical solution, supply of equipment and physical installation into all six Type 45 destroyers.
The first-of-class conversion is expected to complete in 2021, with follow-on ships completed during the early 2020s. The programme is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the conversion, balanced against the Royal Navy’s standing and future operational commitments.
“The PIP will ensure the fleet of highly sophisticated Type 45s can continue to be deployed successfully on operations around the globe, protecting the UK’s interests worldwide,” commented Director, Ships Support at Defence Equipment & Support, Neal Lawson.
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