BAE Systems, T45

Access systems at BAE Systems, T45

Facts and figures

  • Duration: 7 years
  • Capital cost to build six ships: £6b
  • Contract value to Interserve: £20m
  • 250 employees onsite
  • N/SVQ certified blasters and painters

Painting and access solutions for the world’s most advanced warship

Interserve worked closely with BAE Systems to provide all of the access, grit blasting and sub contracted protective coatings services in the construction of six Type 45 Anti-Air-Warfare-Destroyer warships - HMS Daring, Dauntless, Diamond, Dragon, Defender, and Duncan.

The First of Class, HMS Daring, was launched at the BAE Systems shipyard on the Clyde in February 2006 by HRH the Countess of Wessex. HMS Dauntless launched in January 2007, HMS Diamond in November 2007 and HMS Dragon in October 2008, while Defender is expected to launch in August 2009.

Interserve was pivotal in the launches of HMS Daring, Dauntless and Diamond assisting in the construction of the bandstand and press gallery at all three launch days, witnessed by thousands. With HMS Diamond, Interserve saved four days on the programme by loading out the dry dock with scaffold materials prior to flooding, enabling work to begin as soon as she settled on dock blocks.

These ships provide unprecedented detection and defensive capability and vastly improved living standards for our armed forces. They are capable of contributing to worldwide maritime and joint operations in multi-threat environments, providing a specialist air-warfare capability.

Interserve offers access solutions for any size of project, no matter how large or complex, and have one of the largest stockholdings of access equipment. Our specialist coating techniques utilise a wide variety of surface preparation methods and we are experienced in applying these to all types of material both internally and externally in vessels, tanks, pipe linings, offshore structures, process plants, bridges, storage tanks, ships and cargo carriers.

Services

  • Access
  • Grit blasting  
  • Protective coatings
  • Cleaning

Achievements

  • Scaffolding Apprentice of the Year
  • Only subcontractor recognised in the Construction Industry News article on BAE Systems’ RoSPA Gold Safety Award

David Houston, Head of Procurement, Surface Fleet Solutions said: “Interserve has proven to be a valuable supplier in the T45 team. There is much work remaining to be done, and ‘Maintaining Momentum’ remains the strapline for all those involve”.