Scotland will be the engine room of a UK shipbuilding boom, securing thousands of jobs in the process, David Cameron has pledged.
Speaking exclusively to The Courier in the shadow of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, the Prime Minister said the country would remain the “centre of complex warship building” for as long as it is part of the UK.
Friday’s momentous occasion saw the 65,000-tonne ship christened at Rosyth Dockyard in Fife, where it was assembled and fitted out.
With a second carrier still to be completed and further investment in the pipeline, Mr Cameron insisted there was plenty of long-term work for the dockyard at Rosyth.
The Prime Minister highlighted the forthcoming production of three naval fleets as proof of his argument.
He said: “This is really the centre of complex warship building in the UK and as long as the UK stays together that will remain the case.
“Obviously there are still decisions to be taken but if you look at what’s happening with the Royal Navy, not only have we got the Hunter Killer submarines being produced, not only have we got the Type 45 Destroyers being produced but also we’ve got the Type 26 Frigates to come.
“So there is a good future programme of warship building and obviously in my view the Scottish defence industry benefits from being part of the fifth largest defence budget in the world with a very exciting programme of future investment.”
After Mr Cameron made his comments, UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond revealed the Prince of Wales contract would stay in Fife in the event of independence.
SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson said: “Philip Hammond has told us what we already know Rosyth has a bright future in an independent Scotland.”
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