HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/paperboy.cfm?id=696302002
JASON BEATTIE THE
Ministry of Defence confirmed yesterday that the new Astute class
nuclear-powered submarines would be based at the Faslane naval base,
safeguarding 5,000 jobs. The Scotsman revealed exclusively last month the MoD had decided to berth the first and second batches of the submarines at the Clyde naval base rather than at the English port of Plymouth. Three Astute submarines, armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, were ordered by the MoD in 1997 at the cost of �750 million each to replace the Swiftsure class. The first, HMS Astute, is due to come into service in three years� time, with a second tranche of two and possibly three submarines expected to follow. Announcing the decision, Adam Ingram, the armed forces minister and MP for East Kilbride, said Faslane had been chosen after an extensive review of requirements. In a statement, the MoD said: "With a planned life of 25 years for each submarine, this decision commits the navy to maintaining its historic presence on the Clyde, and safeguards long-term job prospects for many of the base�s 5,000 employees." The two of the first batch of three submarines, HMS Astute and HMS Ambush, are under construction in Barrow-in-Furness and are expected to come into service by 2006. Faslane, currently home to the Swiftsure and Vanguard class submarines, had been locked in fierce competition with Devonport, Plymouth, over which site would become the permanent base for the state-of-the-art Astutes. Helen Liddell, the Scottish Secretary, said the decision was a recognition of the skills and dedication shown by those employed in the defence industry in Scotland. "The decision to base the Astute class submarines at Faslane with an estimated service life of 20 years, alongside the existing Vanguard class, will provide job security for most of the 5,000 employees. "Defence workers in Scotland can take great satisfaction from this. The decision reflects their high levels of skill and dedication and the value for money this brings to the tax payer." --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================ |
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