Top Tory defends buying overseas so troops don't have 'waste' gear like Russia
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said working with overseas-based companies meant Britain's armed forces would always have 'the best' equipment
The government is to order three Fleet Solid Support ships (
Image: daily recording)
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace this evening backed giving exceptional military deals to foreign companies to prevent the UK Armed Forces from ending up with 'shitty gear' like Russia.
The Cabinet minister has fueled fears he is snubbing a UK-led bid to build naval supply ships.
Insiders believe he is set to award the £1.6bn contract for three Fleet Solid Support vessels to a bid led by Spanish company Navantia.
Unions are bracing for the Tories to award the tender to Team Resolute, led by Navantia and involving Belfast-based Harland & Wolff and London-based ship designers BMT.
>Team UK, involving BAE Systems and Babcock, are set to lose.
Speaking on Defense Questions, Mr Wallace said that "the initial contract award phase is expected very, very soon".
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Picture:
AFP via Getty Images)But when asked by MPs about the possibility of sending work overseas, he told the Commons: 'The complex military machinery that keeps us at the forefront of the world involves international collaboration.
"That's the difference between us and Russia, which has the attitude of the Stalinist taxi factory and ends up with rotten material.
"We end up with the best, because I also have a duty to give the best to the men and women of the Royal Navy.
"I will find the contract that will deliver the best, support our steel base and support British manufacturing.
"But I'm not going to cut corners on the political ideology of the parties."
He added: "What I want from this contract, however successful, is investment in our yards, investment in UK jobs and investment in UK supply chains."
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said working with overseas-based companies meant Britain's armed forces would always have 'the best' equipment
The government is to order three Fleet Solid Support ships (
Image: daily recording)
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace this evening backed giving exceptional military deals to foreign companies to prevent the UK Armed Forces from ending up with 'shitty gear' like Russia.
The Cabinet minister has fueled fears he is snubbing a UK-led bid to build naval supply ships.
Insiders believe he is set to award the £1.6bn contract for three Fleet Solid Support vessels to a bid led by Spanish company Navantia.
Unions are bracing for the Tories to award the tender to Team Resolute, led by Navantia and involving Belfast-based Harland & Wolff and London-based ship designers BMT.
>Team UK, involving BAE Systems and Babcock, are set to lose.
Speaking on Defense Questions, Mr Wallace said that "the initial contract award phase is expected very, very soon".
Receive a daily morning political briefing straight to your inbox.Sign up for the free Mirror Politics newsletter
Picture:
AFP via Getty Images)But when asked by MPs about the possibility of sending work overseas, he told the Commons: 'The complex military machinery that keeps us at the forefront of the world involves international collaboration.
"That's the difference between us and Russia, which has the attitude of the Stalinist taxi factory and ends up with rotten material.
"We end up with the best, because I also have a duty to give the best to the men and women of the Royal Navy.
"I will find the contract that will deliver the best, support our steel base and support British manufacturing.
"But I'm not going to cut corners on the political ideology of the parties."
He added: "What I want from this contract, however successful, is investment in our yards, investment in UK jobs and investment in UK supply chains."
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