UK orders reconfigurable workboats

Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK) has received a £48 million contract to supply and support replacement workboats for the UK Ministry of Defence, the company announced on 9 August.

The six year contract will see AEUK supply up to 38 workboats and provide in-service support from 2018 until 2024.

Ranging in size from 11 to 18m, the modular, multi-role Sea class vessels share common components. The vessels feature fully equipped capability modules to enable rapid reconfiguration for a range of specialised operational roles, including dive support, explosive ordnance disposal, officer training, passenger transport, arctic exploration, hydrographic survey and logistic re-supply.

The boats have a baseline workboat configuration with twin diesels, jet drive propulsion, modern navigation and communications fit. 

The workboats will be operated from the UK naval bases, and will also be deployed from the Royal Navy Multi-Role Survey and Oceanographic ships, aircraft carriers and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.