Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd

Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (VSEL) is based at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Now BAE Systems Marine Ltd, the company builds large naval vessels, nuclear submarines and armaments.

VSEL was acquired during the merger of British Aerospace and GEC's defence business, Marconi Electronic Systems.

1977's Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act saw Vickers Shipbuilding nationalized and incorporated into British Shipbuilders. Vickers was the first shipyard of this group to return to the private sector. This occurred in 1986, after it acquired Cammell Laird. Cammel-Laird was later closed in 1993.

Ironically BAe had attempted to buy VSEL in the mid-1990s, but lost a bidding war to GEC. VSEL was willing to participate in a merger with a larger company to reduce its exposure to cycles in warship production, particularly following the "Options for Change" defence review following the end of the Cold War. Following GEC's purchase VSEL became Marconi Marine (VSEL), part of the company's GEC-Marconi division.

Modern Warships built by VSEL

• Submarines
  • Vanguard Trident SSBNs
  • Astute Class SSNs
  • Swiftsure Class SSNs
  • Trafalgar Class SSNs

• Surface Combatants
  • HMS Invincible
  • Albion Class LPDs
  • 3 Type 42 class destroyers
  • HMS Ocean - VSEL won contract but Ocean built at Kvaerner Govan. Fitted with military equipment at VSEL's Barrow yard.

Land warfare

• M777 lightweight howitzer