Type 31 support deal being rethought

The UK Ministry of Defence has discontinued its original Type 31 Through Life Support procurement after deciding that the assumptions underlying the tender no longer provide the most suitable support model. Officials told Parliament that the operational requirement remains unchanged and that replacement arrangements will be assessed against defence needs, value for money and established contracting rules. Support services would cover maintenance, spares, engineering expertise, documentation and other activities needed throughout the frigates' service lives. Five Type 31 ships are under construction by Babcock at Rosyth, but a new support competition or contract has not yet been announced.