Following an agreement between the UK Ministry of Defence and the Lithuanian Government in November 2008, Thales was named as the prime contractor to reactivate two former Royal Navy Hunt Class minehunters.

Since the programme was agreed, Thales has been actively engaged in the sub-contracts selection procedure, including propulsion, command and control and mine disposal systems. The sub-contract with Finning (UK) Ltd is the first announcement and more are expected as the programme develops.

The ship-regeneration package is an innovative departure for Thales UK, with responsibility for the revised vessel design, equipment/system specification and procurement, platform and system integration. The company is also responsible for reactivation shipyard management and all test, trial and acceptance events.

Under the terms of the sub-contract, Finning (UK) Ltd will supply four Caterpillar marine propulsion engines and twin disc gearboxes. 

Finning (UK) Ltd will be responsible for the supply and integration of the engines (two per ship), associated gearboxes, mounting raft and local operating panels. Equipment deliveries are expected in January 2010, with sea trials and contract completion in the third quarter of 2010.
 
Thales will also be fitting its own new hull-mounted Sonar 2193 system to the vessels and they are expected to enter service with the Lithuanian Navy by 2011.

Ed Lowe, Managing Director of Thales UK's naval business, says: "Today's announcement marks another important step forward in this challenging and exciting programme."