Rolls-Royce Marine gains £96m contract

Source: Exec Digital UK

Date :07/10/2008 10:05:48

Rolls-Royce Group plc has won a propulsion contract with the Royal Navy to power two warships.

Under the contract, awarded by Thales, Rolls-Royce Marine will provide propulsion and power to the two new warships. The HMS Queen Elizabeth and the HMS Prince of Wales are two 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers, expected to be completed in 2014 and 2016, respectively.

In a “significant” contract, the company will provide four MT30 gas turbines: "the most powerful available in the marine market today, as part of an integrated system which includes the giant carrier's propellers and propeller shafts as well as rudders, stabilisers and some electrical systems,” the company said in a statement. The MT30s are only in use in two other projects: the U.S. Navy’s DDG-100 destroyers, and in the USS Freedom.

"The contract is recognition of our ability to supply a wide range of power and propulsion equipment as part of a fully integrated system,” said President of Rolls-Royce Marine John Paterson.

Rolls-Royce shares were up 0.81 percent at 309.75 pence.