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<p>For the Batch 1 Type 26 frigates, almost 50 per cent by value of the steel is UK
sourced. <del class="ministerial">Steel has not yet been purchased for the Batch 2
ships</del>. <ins class="ministerial">Approximately 994 tonnes of steel was purchased
for the first Batch 2 ship, HMS Birmingham, in 2022 and 25 per cent of this steel
was produced in the UK.</ins></p><p> </p><p>Steel for the Type 31 frigates is sourced
by Babcock from UK-based stockists. Both the Type 26 and Type 31 classes require the
use of thin plate steel and this specification of steel with the required combination
of thickness, size and flatness is not manufactured in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Steel
for our major defence programmes is generally sourced by our prime contractors from
a range of UK and international suppliers and is procured in accordance with Cabinet
Office guidelines. We encourage the sourcing of UK steel wherever it is technically
and commercially feasible.</p>
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