£36 MILLION MINISTRY OF DEFENCE CONTACT FOR LIVERPOOL’S MARINE SPECIALISED TECHNOLOGY
A £36 million contract has been awarded to Liverpool’s Marine Specialised Technology (MST) to deliver 18 new police patrol crafts for the MoD (Ministry of Defense) and Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP) Forces.
Marine Specialised Technology will supply police patrol craft for the Gibraltar Defence Police
To be used around Royal Naval bases in the UK and British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, the five-year contract will deliver 16 patrol craft to the MOD Police and two craft to the GDP, replacing those currently in use.
Defence Minister Baroness Goldie said: “This £36 million investment allows our MOD Police and Gibraltar Defence Police Forces to enhance the vital security service they provide to our military bases at home and overseas.
“Designed and constructed by maritime experts in the UK, this contract reaffirms our commitment to invest in homegrown industry knowledge and support the protection and creation of skilled jobs.”
The police patrol crafts will play an important role in Defence, enhancing capabilities to safeguard UK and Gibraltar waters and escort major Royal Navy assets in and out of Naval bases at home and overseas.
The 15-metre crafts will be able to carry 3 crew members and up to 4 passengers, travelling up to 30 knots. They will be fitted with a CCTV surveillance system, two Marine Jet Power waterjets and reinforced with bullet-proof protection against incoming fire.
As a highly manoeuvrable craft, they will also be used for 24/7 policing to protect Defence assets and deter and detect any potential threats. Able to operate in all weather conditions, direct support to the Royal Navy will also include escort, cordons and maritime security capabilities.
This acquisition will ensure the continuity of an important capability for the MOD Police to deter and defend against threats to UK bases and overseas territories. These crafts will provide the British MoD police with a modern, fast and effective capability for fulfilling their important role.
The constant waterborne patrol and policing at UK Naval Bases will include HMNB Portsmouth, HMNB Devonport and HMNB Clyde, as well as the Gibraltar Naval Dockyard. Construction has already started on the design project and the first police patrol craft is expected to be delivered in July 2022.
This latest deal comes less than a year after MST, which is based just outside Liverpool city centre, secured a £9m contract with the MOD to build two replacement boats for the Gibraltar Squadron Fast Patrol Craft.
MST has established a global reputation as a leading manufacturer of rigid inflatable and high-speed work boats for military and search and rescue customers in 21 countries. The new deal will sustain 50 jobs at the firm and create a further 15 across the North West.
For more information on Marine Specialised Technology Group visit their website HERE.