#belfastlough- A multimillion-pound fleet of new warships writes The Belfast Telegraph could be built in blocks across several shipyards in Britain, including Belfast, the Defence Secretary has announced.

While tender is open for selection for the build, Harland and Wolff are hoping to be involved.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the first batch of new Type 31e frigates would be built with the export market in mind, with the UK shipbuilding industry potentially serving both the Royal Navy and navies of allies and partners.

As part of this approach, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that the first batch of five Type 31e frigates could be built across different shipyards, before being assembled at a central site. Cost would be capped at no more than £250 million each.

A spokesperson from Harland and Wolff said: "Commercially it would be a great success for us. "All the work we do, the benefit has not been seen by they Royal Navy." They added: "It would also mean our commercial fabricators would have the opportunity to work with international partners."

To read much more on the naval newbuilding development, the newspaper has more here.