The 1,100 square metre fabric-covered building is being developed with Norwegian construction company Hallgruppen. BAE Systems said the facility will be large enough to paint four units at once and tall enough to handle the largest parts of the ships, including bow and stern sections.
The investment forms part of a wider modernisation programme across BAE Systems’ Govan and Scotstoun shipyards in Glasgow, worth more than £360 million. The programme is aimed at improving yard efficiency, expanding production capacity and supporting the company’s delivery schedule for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates.
“The new paint facility is another important step in our continued investment in Glasgow’s shipyards, helping to modernise our infrastructure and improve production efficiency. By optimising the use of space at our Govan site, the facility will increase painting capacity and support the demands of our shipbuilding programme,” said Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business.
“This investment strengthens our ability to deliver the Type 26 frigates efficiently, at pace and to the highest standards of quality. It reflects our commitment to continuously improving our shipbuilding capability and ensuring we remain well positioned to meet the needs of our customers, both now and in the future,” Lister said.
The new facility follows the opening last year of the Janet Harvey Hall at Govan, a state-of-the-art ship build hall that allows two Type 26 ships to be constructed in parallel under cover. BAE Systems is also introducing wider infrastructure and automation improvements, alongside digital tools such as tablets and kiosk screens on the shop floor to streamline production processes.
The Type 26 programme will provide the Royal Navy with advanced anti-submarine warfare technology. The ships are also designed with flexibility to support other roles, including the transport of medical facilities and humanitarian aid missions when required.
Construction of the paint facility is due to be completed later this year. For BAE Systems, the project is another step in a long-running upgrade of Glasgow’s naval shipbuilding base as the company works to deliver one of the UK’s central surface fleet programmes.
