Wragge & Co LLP has advised the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on a ground-breaking contract worth around £3 billion. The firm helped the MoD seal an alliance agreement for the Aircraft Carrier Alliance and the manufacture contracts that will deliver two new 65,000-tonne aircraft carriers.

The Aircraft Carrier Alliance includes the MoD, BAE Systems, BVT Surface Fleet, Babcock Marine and Thales UK. It represents the first time an innovative alliancing approach has been used to deliver a long-term public sector project. Its approach sees all parties agree to apportion risk and reward to ensure best value for government and profit for industry.

The new carriers, to be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will be the largest warships ever designed and built in the UK. They will replace the Invincible-class carriers currently in service. The project will safeguard around 10,000 jobs across UK industry.

Projects partners Michael Whitehouse and Jane Pittaway led a cross-firm Wragge & Co team. The team included Intellectual Property (IP) partner Michael Luckman, projects associate Julia Holdright, tax associate Zoe Hooper-Smith, IP associate Sara McNeill and solicitors Simon Edwards and Clare Woolley. They worked closely with Peter Cockerton, the MoD's CVF commercial and procurement director.

Michael Whitehouse said: "This is a significant investment in the UK's future ability to deliver air power around the world. It has taken creativity and hard work to put together a structure to improve MoD contracting and assist the Government to create a 'force for good.' The MoD has taken a bold step forward in the way large, complex public sector projects are delivered."

Peter Cockerton said: "Wragge & Co's commercially astute advice, delivered with a clear understanding of both our sector and specific needs led to the successful completion of this complex project. It was an ambitious and complex project involving a strong team effort. The Wragge & Co team has been instrumental in bringing it to a close."

Wragge & Co has an ongoing relationship with the MoD. In 2007, the team closed the £1.2 billion Future Provision of Marine Services PFI contract. The team was re-appointed to the MoD's panel of preferred legal advisers in 2005. Previous projects also include advising on the MoD's £1.15 billion project for the redevelopment, management and operation of facilities at the Northwood Tri-Service Command Headquarters site.

Wragge & Co's projects practice advises government departments, contractors, banks and other lenders on UK and international projects. With 29 partners and particular strength in the defence, energy and infrastructure sectors, the team is experienced in a broad range of work. Clients include the Department of Health, Amey, Strabag and the International Finance Corporation.

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For further information about this press release, contact Kathryn Hobbs on +44 (0)121 213 2397, Alexa Highfield on +44 (0)121 213 2396 or Amie Ryalls on +44 (0)121 213 2360

This press release may contain information of general interest about current legal issues, but does not give legal advice.