COMMUNITY leaders have described the awarding of a major design contract for a future fleet of submarines as a 'show in confidence' in Barrow's 'world-class' shipbuilding.

Leading figures in the town welcomed the news that hundreds of jobs would be supported by a new £85 million contract for a class of submarines to eventually replace the Astute programme.

And shipyard boss Steve Timms praised the contract as a chance to 'strengthen our partnership with the Royal Navy long in to the future'.

Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, said: "We welcome today's announcement and the opportunities it brings for the borough in terms of jobs and investment.

"The design and build of submarines is one of the most complex engineering feats in the world but we have a globally-recognised, skilled and expert workforce here in Barrow and an outstanding supply chain economy across this area.

"Seeing this strengthened further as part of the new contract with BAE Systems Ltd is excellent news."

Barrow MP Simon Fell paid tribute to those in Barrow involved in building the submarines.

He said: "This is absolutely fantastic news - a show of confidence in the amazing submarine programme here in Barrow and a first step towards the next sustained programme of work, bringing with it 250 jobs.

"The announcement today comes after the recent AUKUS pact, showing that UK shipbuilding - and specifically Barrow's work - is world class."

Mr Timms, the managing director of BAE Systems’ Submarines, said: "We’re very proud of our role in the delivery of the nation's submarine fleet and this contract further builds on our rich heritage.

"In what is the 150th anniversary year of our Barrow shipyard, we now have the opportunity to further strengthen our partnership with the Royal Navy long in to the future.

"We’re looking forward to working with our partners and helping to deliver another strategically important and critical national defence programme."

The contract has been awarded following approval of a three-year programme, definition and design phase for a capability solution for the MOD's Maritime Underwater Future Capability (MUFC) programme.

BAE Systems will work alongside the Submarine Delivery Agency, Rolls Royce, Babcock and partners on a new class of nuclear powered attack submarines for the UK Royal Navy to replace the Astute class - currently referred to as SSN-Replacement (SSNR).

Four of the seven Astute submarines have already been delivered to the Royal Navy, while the remaining three are at an advanced stage of construction.