|
On 15th December 2005, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) published its Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS). This sets out the anticipated
order book; states what it considers to be Key Capabilities which have to be retained within the UK for strategic reasons;
and discusses what will have to be defined and refined within the reconstituted Maritime Industrial Strategy, including the
size and structure of the supplying industry.
Those key capabilities which are deemed essential to retain within the UK are:
| Maritime systems engineering |
the ability to design, manage, support and upgrade complex surface warships |
| Shipbuilding and integration |
minimum ability to build and integrate complex warships |
| Nuclear submarines |
total life cycle, including Nuclear Steam Raising Plant |
| Maritime Combat systems |
develop and integrate into platforms |
| Maritime Support |
maintain and upgrade existing Royal Navy fleet |
| Maritime systems and technologies |
research, development and integration |
The DIS specified what capabilities are needed; the revised Maritime Industrial Strategy will, in consultation with industry,
define how that is to be achieved.
In addition to defining Key Capabilities, the DIS also refers to a Core Work Load, which is the minimum level of business
considered sufficient to support a viable industry, allowing it to invest and train. This is generally assumed to be a larger
volume of work than offered by the Key Capabilities.
The DIS also makes clear that the industry needs to restructure and reduce in size to reflect longer-term demand patterns
of one surface ship every one to two years and one submarine every two years, with longer times between classes. The DIS
indicates that the MoD will have an interest in how the industry restructures, but MoD will not take an active lead in encouraging
and directing this realignment.
With regard to future activities and dates, the DIS sets work-streams and deadlines as follows:
| Understand Core Load for surface warships |
June 2006 |
| Industry to start to restructure itself |
June 2006 |
| Sustainability strategy for key equipment |
June 2006 |
| Surface Support structure |
Autumn 2006 |
| CVF Main Gate |
not stated |
| Astute further contract and SAM |
early 2007 |
| Unified MoD submarine management |
early 2007 |
The DTI will be playing a full part in the evolution and implementation of the Maritime Industrial Strategy.
|
Better Business Framework
Business Sectors
Reports & Publications
Confident Consumers - A Fair Deal creating Prosperity & Success for All
