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The UK’s Ministry of Defence has appointed a Preferred Bidder to build ships for the Royal Navy in a move which will create around 2,000 new full and part time jobs in the United Kingdom.

The contract has been offered to Team Resolute, a partnership between BMT, Harland & Wolff and Navantia UK.

The £1.6 billion deal will create close to 1,200 direct graduate vacancies and apprenticeships along with a further 800 UK jobs in the supply chain.

Around a quarter of the direct positions will be for welding apprenticeships and trainee vacancies.

Speaking for Team Resolute, John Wood the Group Chief Executive Officer of Harland & Wolff, said:

“[We are] proud to have been selected as preferred bidder to provide the Royal Fleet Auxiliary with three state-of-the-art adaptable ships which will fulfil the Royal Navy’s needs while strengthening UK sovereign design and shipbuilding capability, as well as generating around £1.4 billion in national social and economic value.”

“Team Resolute will be making a significant investment into the UK and help to level up UK Government defence spend across the whole Union.”

“We will create high quality UK jobs and apprenticeships at four facilities across the UK, which will have shipbuilding capabilities fit for the 21st century,” said the CEO.

Chris Heaton-Harris, Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State, also commented, saying: “Congratulations to Team Resolute, which includes the historic Belfast shipbuilding firm Harland & Wolff, for being selected as preferred bidders.This announcement is a fantastic testimony to Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage and reputation for innovation and expertise.”

“The jobs and investment which this will deliver to Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK will create life-changing opportunities, while the training of hundreds of new UK welders will ensure a bright future for local industry,” added the Secretary of State.

Welcoming the announcement, Ben Wallace, the UK Defence Secretary, said: “This news will be a significant boost to the UK shipbuilding industry.”

“By selecting Team Resolute, the Ministry of Defence has chosen a proposal which includes £77 million of investment into the UK shipyards, creating around 2,000 UK jobs and showcasing cutting-edge British design.”

“Building on ambitions laid out in the National Shipbuilding Strategy, this contract will bolster technology transfer and key skills from a world-renowned shipbuilder, crucial in the modernisation of British shipyards,” said Mr Wallace.