The Harland & Wolff shipyard in Appledore has secured a £55 million contract to refit a former Royal Navy mine-hunting vessel HMS Quorn.
The regeneration project of the former Royal Navy mine hunter is for the Lithuanian Government, which bought the ship in 2020.
John Wood, Group CEO of Harland & Wolff said it 'is a watershed moment' for the shipyard that was bought from Babcock in 2020.
Its resurrection by Harland and Wolff saved the historic shipyard and generations of shipbuilding skills in what is one of the most deprived areas in Devon.
Mr Wood said that defence work is a vital part of its five-point business strategy.
He said: "Our strategy has been well and truly validated and we intend to capitalise on this win through bidding on and securing further government contracts.
"Our eyes are now set on delivering this contract and executing on our pipeline as we continue to build momentum, credibility and a high-performing, experienced workforce.
"Finally, I wish to thank the MOD for the faith that they have placed in Harland & Wolff, and I look forward to working closely with them on the successful delivery of this contract.”
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The project will support 100 skilled jobs at Appledore in North Devon alongside local and national contractors, with 14 major subcontract packages in engineering, equipment and integration, along with other refurbishment services.
It is planned that the ship will be handed over to the Lithuanian Navy in 2024.
The contract award by Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) helps to bolster British shipbuilding, laid out in the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh.
Once the work is complete, the ship will be used as part of NATO maritime capability in Europe.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin, said: “I’m pleased that this multi-million pound contract will see a former Royal Navy mine-hunting vessel restored and regenerated in a British shipyard, supporting UK jobs and strengthening shipbuilding in the South West.
“Lithuania is a key NATO ally and Joint Expeditionary Force partner, and this mine-hunting vessel will bolster NATO maritime capability across Europe, ensuring the Alliance remains ready to respond to evolving global threats.”
HMS Quorn completed 27 years of Service with the Royal Navy before being sold to Lithuania in April 2020. The vessel patrolled the seas as part of the Royal Navy fleet of Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMVs) until 2017.
The Hunt Class vessels specialise in active mine-hunting. They use high-definition sonar to scour seabeds for mines, which are then destroyed by the ship’s clearance diving teams or mine disposal system.
Lithuania is a key NATO partner and will add the restored mine-hunting vessel to its existing fleet.
The work includes upgrades to the ships mission and sonar systems, and an additional search and rescue capability.
The contract will also add new main engines, generators and propulsion gear as well as refurbish the accommodation, hull, ancillary systems, electrical systems and painting.
HMS Quorn is the third mine-hunting vessel that DESA has sold to Lithuania, following the sale of HMS Dulverton and HMS Cottesmore in 2008.
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