Rolls-Royce signs 20-year Chilean Navy service orders

Wednesday, 1 December 2004

Rolls-Royce has signed orders with the Chilean Navy to service gas turbines on five new ships in its fleet for the next 20 years - a key element of Chile's transformation of its fleet to gas turbine technology.

Rolls-Royce will provide repair services and technical support for its gas turbines on a former Royal Navy frigate and four former Dutch Navy ships. The contracts are worth £5m in the first year, with further expenditure expected in each of the subsequent years.

The contracts were signed by Vice Admiral Juan Illanes, Chilean Navy Director General Naval Services, and Sam Cameron, Director - Support for Rolls-Royce naval marine operations, at the Exponaval exhibition in Chile.

Sam Cameron said: “This is a significant agreement for both parties. The Chilean Navy is introducing gas turbine power to improve its performance and speed capabilities. It also recognised its maintenance requirements could be simplified with experienced support, and we are delighted to fulfil this role. We value the part we can play in long-term support contracts, helping navies plan out their requirements and reduce ownership costs.”

Details of the ships and equipment covered by the order are:

    * Almirante Williams (formerly Type 22 frigate HMS Sheffield) - two Olympus and two Tyne
    * Two former L Class Dutch Navy frigates (Jacob van Heemskerck and Witte de With) - two Olympus and two Tyne per ship
    * Two former M Class Dutch Navy frigates (Abraham van der Hulst and Tjerk Hiddes) - two Spey per ship.

Rolls-Royce has provided service for Olympus and Tyne gas turbines for the Royal Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy and the French and Belgian navies, since their introduction into service.