Armed Forces: Future Aircraft Carriers

Lord Astor of Hever
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement by Baroness Taylor of Bolton on 3 July (WS 15) announcing the signature of the contracts and of the alliance agreement to build the two aircraft carriers, what are the principal milestones in the construction process; and when they expect to reach each of those landmarks. [HL4713]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton)
The principal milestones in the construction of the Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF) are:

start of production work at the main shipyards, which is expected to commence in early 2009 for CVF01 and mid 2010 for CVF02;
 

delivery of the first hull block to the Rosyth integration yard, planned for late 2011 for CVF01 and mid 2013 for CVF02; and
 

float-up of the completed hulls in early 2013 for CVF01 and mid 2014 for CVF02 to be followed by sea trials and contract acceptance in 2014 and 2016 respectively.