FIRST TYPE 23 FRIGATE HANDED OVER TO CHILEAN NAVY
Portsmouth, United Kingdom. - The first of three Type 23 frigates has been handed over to the Chilean navy by the UK Ministry of Defence. BAE Systems was appointed to lead the £134million contract in September 2005 following a government to government agreement between Chile and the UK. As prime contractor, BAE Systems is responsible for managing all aspects of the preparation of the vessels and for the training of the Chilean crews. Physical preparation work on the first ship, now known as Almirante Cochrane, was carried out by Fleet Support Limited, a BAE Systems joint venture company. The ship, formerly HMS Norfolk, will be followed by HMS Grafton and HMS Marlborough with the final ship scheduled for delivery in 2008 Nigel Billingham, managing director of BAE Systems CS&S Naval, said: 'This is an important day for all those involved in the programme. We are delighted to work with our customers – the Chilean and British governments – and to meet their requirements in the preparation of the ships. 'BAE Systems has a long association with the Chilean navy and we look forward to continuing that relationship on Almirante Cochrane and on the other ships in the contract.' |
