BAE gets rebranded

From 1 January the Barrow in Furness shipyard became BAE Systems Submarine Solutions after the name was selected by the headquarters of the global defence giant.

BAE says it was switched from the former BAE Systems Submarines to reflect the full life support service offered by the yard. As well as designing and building subs and ships, it provides spares and know-how to help keep them running through their lives.

The Barrow name decision is part of a raft of changes. BAE Systems Naval Ships division in Scotland has been renamed Surface Fleet Solutions, and the Air Systems division at Warton is now called BAE Systems Military Air Solutions. But Barrow Trades Union Council secretary Bob Pointer said: “It?s daft. Whatever they call it, it will always be ?the yard? or ?Vickers? to the people of the town, so name changes don?t make any difference.”

BAE spokesman Chris Nelson said the name was chosen by BAE headquarters and added: “It is very much part of global changes and is designed to reflect the life support idea for the various businesses.” The change comes against a background of government-urged attempts to consolidate the various strands of the UK submarine industry into a single structure involving cooperation between different companies such as BAE, Rolls Royce and DML at Devonport.