Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd

From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.

Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (VSEL) is based at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Now BAE Systems Marine (VSEL), the company builds large naval vessels, nuclear submarines and armaments.

History

The Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977 saw Vickers Shipbuilding nationalized and incorporated into British Shipbuilders. Vickers was the first shipyard of this group to return to the private sector. This occurred in 1986, after it acquired Cammell Laird. Cammel-Laird was later closed in 1993.

In 1994 VSEL was subject to two takeover proposals, one from GEC and another from British Aerospace (BAe). VSEL was willing to participate in a merger with a larger company to reduce its exposure to cycles in warship production, particularly following the "Options for Change" defence review following the end of the Cold War.

Both bids were referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) which issued its conclusions and advice to government in May 1995. BAe's bid was approved, while the MMC concluded (with 2 of 22 members dissenting) that GEC's bid was likely to "operate against the public interest". However it was GEC's bid that was approved and accepted by VSEL. In many ways it was British Aerospace who was the most likely partner, with extensive capabilites in naval systems (see BAeSEMA), but no shipbuilding capabilties of its own. GEC already owned Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd (YSL) as well the naval systems businesses of Plessey and Ferranti.

Following GEC's purchase VSEL became Marconi Marine (VSEL), part of the company's GEC-Marconi division. With the merger of British Aerospace and GEC's defence business, Marconi Electronic Systems, VSEL passed to the resulting company, BAE Systems.

Modern Warships built by VSEL

Vanguard class of four Trident ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs)	HMS Ocean helicopter carrier (LPH)	Trafalgar class of seven nuclear attack submarines
HMS Invincible, lead ship of the Invincible class light aircraft carriers.	Albion class amphibious assault vessels (LPD)	HMS Manchester, one of three Type 42 destroyers built by VSEL.

• Submarines
  • Vanguard Trident SSBNs
  • Astute Class SSNs
  • Swiftsure Class SSNs
  • Trafalgar Class SSNs

• Surface Combatants
  • HMS Invincible
  • Albion Class LPDs
  • 3 Type 42 class destroyers
  • HMS Ocean - VSEL won contract but Ocean built at Kvaerner Govan. Fitted with military equipment at VSEL's Barrow yard.

Land warfare

• M777 lightweight howitzer

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