The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract to Babcock for a continuous engineering support (CES) arrangement for the long-term support of the Royal Navy’s landing craft.

Under the CES contract, Babcock will undertake all LCU and LCVP support period activity and develop the maintenance requirements by working in cooperation with the MoD.

Babcock’s engineering support to the landing craft allows the Royal Marines to deliver significant improvements in landing craft availability while also reducing significant maintenance costs.

Royal Navy capital ships in-service team leader Captain Graeme Little said the initiative will see a significant increase in craft availability and is a real success for the amphibious surface manoeuvre community.

“The move could help further improvements as part of the wider joint initiative between MoD and Babcock to develop Devonport as the RN Centre for Amphibious Support Excellence,” Little said.

Work will be carried out by a co-located team of engineers at the HM naval base in Devonport.