A&P Group forms defense division aiming for Type 31 frigate, Type 45 destroyer contracts

UK-based ship repair and conversion company A&P Group is launching a defense division to better position itself for UK defense ministry’s future Type 31 frigate and Type 45 destroyer contracts.

The new division will be headquartered at A&P Falmouth and managed by Gerald Pitts, who now takes the role of Managing Director of A&P Group Defence.

Pitts will take responsibility for the current Cluster Support Team (CST) and MARS contracts and the pursuit of contracts for the Type 31e frigates and Type 45 destroyers, amongst others.

“Given the number of future MoD programs we hope to be involved in, it seemed a very natural decision to have one specialist division dedicated to this part of the business,” David McGinley, group managing director of A&P Group said.

A&P Group currently has a contract to customize and fit out all four of the RFA’s new Tide class tankers and co-ordinate full military Capability Assessment Trials to prepare the ships for operational service, as well as a contract to support and maintain RFA ships at home and abroad until 2018.

Under the MoD’s RFA Through Life Support Contracts, A&P Group provides maintenance support to RFA Argus and Bay-class vessels Mounts Bay, Cardigan Bay and Lyme Bay.