Portsmouth is getting a major fillip with news that a £17 million contract for a naval vessel has been granted.

The project, to refurbish a Type 42 destroyer, the HMS York, has been awarded to Portsmouth-based Fleet Support Ltd (FSL), the Ministry of Defence has announced.

Work for the upkeep includes the maintenance of the Sea Dart missile launcher, improvements to fuel efficiency and upgrading the galley and domestic equipment to improve on-board living.

Defence Equipment Minister Baroness Taylor said: "A vibrant shipbuilding industry is essential to the UK. This is important for contracts for new powerful ships and the vital maintenance and upkeep work to our existing fleet.

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"This £17 million contract to Fleet Support Limited is excellent news for Portsmouth and will ensure HMS York remains capable of playing a valuable front-line role in future operations."

The major tasks on board HMS York include fitting a new ship's IT network, which involves installing cabling throughout the whole vessel. Another internal network to be re-wired with multi-core cabling will be the ship's communication system, while the ship's interior accommodation and crew facilities are also set to be upgraded.

HMS York is the first refit of 2008 for Fleet Support Limited, a Portsmouth-based naval support company, which is a joint venture between BAE Systems and VT Group.

However, the refit is the fifth in a number of upkeep packages under the Surface Ship Support (SSS) Project. Five other ships have completed their upkeeps.

(KMcA)