Former Royal Navy Falklands’ Patrols Sold to Bangladesh
Two former Royal Navy offshore patrol vessels built by Hall Russell in Aberdeen and which for years were on Falkland Islands service have been sold to Bangladesh's navy.
HMS Leeds Castle and HMS Dumbarton Castle entered service in 1982 and protected the fishing fleets and oil and gas fields in the North Sea before long-term duty guarding the Falkland Islands after the war. Ship repair yard A&P Tyne will overhaul the vessels and will train 66 Bangladeshi sailors to operate them.
The ships, fitted with flight decks capable of supporting Sea King helicopters, have been laid up in Portsmouth Naval Base since their retirement from service in 2005. They will be towed up to Tyneside next month to undergo a massive overhaul.
Delighted Managing director, Stewart Boak, said: “We have a tremendous amount of work to deliver over the next three months to ensure the two ships are completed and handed over to the Bangladeshi Navy.” The A&P Group has been negotiating to clinch the contract for six months.
Mr Boak and colleague John Paine, A&P Group Technical Program Manager, flew out to Bangladesh to tie up the deal by signing the contract at a ceremony at the Naval headquarters in Dhaka.
Mr Boak, whose return was delayed several days due to the volcanic ash air crisis, said it was great to be bringing such a vital order back to Tyneside. He said: “It is a tribute to all the partners involved that we now have the opportunity to carry out the work in the North East, securing employment for up to 100 staff and subcontractors in the face of the recession.”
The project will include the overhaul of the vessels' main engines, gearboxes, shafts and motors, the installation of new diesel generators and deck cranes and an upgrade of the crew’s accommodation. He said the yard—which has a workforce of 210 and boasts the largest dock on the east coast of England with two deep water berths—will be welcoming the ships and Bangladesh naval crew in May.
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13 comments Feed
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engines, shafts , gearboxes,chemical matters,.....
should be imported from Germany and Far East,....!!
The ships are retired from service...have you seen the aircraft carriers being built...I bet the Argy Navy is pissing itself in fear. But then they always have been a cowardly bunch.
For example the 25th May was formerly HMS Venerable, sold off as a rust bucket and still a rust bucket in 1982 but the pride of the ARA.
They were withdrawn from the active list in 2007, as they were replaced by the new River Class patrol ships, two of which are used in the North Atlantic while the third, slightly modified vessel in the class is based permanantly in the Falklands.
The two Castle Class boats were originally going to be sold to Pakistan in 2007, when the deal fell through they were put into storage until another customer could be found.
It's a similar process to how the D'Estienne d'Orves Class corvettes (that were originally intended for the South African Navy) finished up becoming the Drummond Class vessels in the Argentine Navy
Jihad Jorge the Talib who has “top secret” information on how and when Argentina will take control of the Falkland Islands is now having his comments removed. Looks like he eventually got what was coming to him.
Hopefully us rational people on these forums will see less of his ideotic, inaccurate and hate filled comments.
Now christine (merco editor) you would remove the offensive comment of Justin against my mother or he advertise with you???
Don't tell me the “top secret” plan involves 3rd hand naval vessels and no landing craft.
Perhaps Mercopress have read your many offensive comments that finally caused the like for like comments. Such as your comments about my partner or all the other insults you have posted to so many people. The thing with you is that, even though you started the insults, you cannot take that which you dish out. I know that you will posta denial of having insulted but the truth is out there.
Beef, lol, it is top secret weapon is called “carlitos” and its type is “cumbia villera” lol. Google it!!!
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