Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer and MP for Dunfermline East, and Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, visited HMS ARK ROYAL today (13 Jul) as she sailed from Rosyth for trials in the North Sea after extensive refit.
HMS ARK ROYAL arrived at Rosyth in May 1999 and the 147 million pound refit by Babcock Engineering Services included strengthening the flight deck for the new Merlin anti-submarine helicopters and making further alterations to allow the carrier to operate RAF GR7 Harriers.
Gordon Brown and Adam Ingram took the opportunity to view many of the alterations and they both praised the Rosyth workforce for their hard work in ensuring the refit was completed on schedule and to budget. They were also briefed on the carrier's capabilities and the increasingly important role she would play as part of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Adam Ingram said:
"Hundreds of people have worked very hard over the last two years to ensure that the first class refit of this famous ship is completed on schedule. This is a proud moment for all involved and a real team effort. ARK ROYAL has a unique capability and, the refit has greatly enhanced her ability to operate in a joint environment. I look forward to her rejoining the Fleet."
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown added:
"This another chapter in the success story that is Rosyth. The superb quality of the work carried out on HMS ARK ROYAL is a testament to the skill and professionalism of the workforce who carried out the refit of the navy's largest ship on schedule.
"They have every reason to be very proud of the quality of their work and I am delighted they have won the contract to refit HMS INVICIBLE on which work will start in November."
Commanding Officer, Captain David Snelson, who took up his appointment in May this year, said:
"I am delighted to be in command of such a prestigious carrier, certainly the premier warship in the Royal Navy's fleet. The entire crew is looking forward to being back at sea and testing the ARK's full capabilities over the next three weeks, including trial landings for the new Merlin helicopter whilst off the coast of Scotland."
Thanks to the refit, the ARK is planned to remain in active service until 2015 when the proposed Navy 'super-carriers' will be expected to continue the glorious traditions set by today's ships and the men and women who serve in them. HMS Invincible is expected to arrive at Rosyth later this month, to prepare for a shorter, £50 million refit programme starting in November
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Chancellor Of The Exchequer And Armed Forces Minister Visit HMS Ark Royal As She Sails From Rosyth After Major Refit
