WORK has got underway on one of Hampshire’s most important contracts, building sections of two new £5 billion aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy, which supports thousands of jobs in the county.

As steel cutting began on a section of the hull, Portsmouth became the fifth UK shipyard to start construction on the programme. The naval base will be the future home of both Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth pushed the button to start the laser cutter.

He said: “Here in Portsmouth work is just beginning but across the country in Devon, Newcastle, Glasgow and Rosyth work is already under way. In all, six shipyards across the UK will be involved in the manufacture of the ships’ hulls, supporting up to 8,000 jobs in the construction and up to another 3,000 throughout the supply chain.”

This is the first of three blocks that BAE Systems Surface Ships, formerly part of VT Group, will build for the ships in Portsmouth. At 70m long and 40m wide, it will use 6,000 tonnes of steel. It will house space for machinery and supplies as well as switchboards and some accommodation. BAE Systems’ role in the Carrier build programme at Portsmouth is in the order of £800m, forming a substantial element of the workload at the Naval Base, where the company employs more than 3,000 people, including 200 apprentices.

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope said: “The two ships of the Queen Elizabeth Class will be the largest and most powerful warships ever built for the UK, each equalling four acres from which to project airpower anywhere in the world. With eighty per cent of the world’s land mass within 500 miles of the ocean, the carriers will provide unparalleled access and flexibility.”

Managing director of BAE Systems Surface Ships Alan Johnston said: “This is a very proud day for our workforce here in Portsmouth and comes on the back of our work on the Clyde, where another large part of the carrier’s hull is already taking shape.

“The design and build of ships of this magnitude is a massive engineering feat and a real testament to skills harnessed in our industry across the UK. We will continue to work closely with our partners in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance and to invest in the skills of our employees and our facilities not only to deliver the Royal Navy’s future flagships, but also to secure the long-term future of the UK’s warship building industry.”