AEI Cables has been awarded a prestigious £8m contract to supply cables to help build the next generation of aircraft carriers for the British fleet - the largest ships to enter service in the UK.

The Aircraft Carrier Alliance awarded the prestigious contract to the company, based at Birtley, County Durham, for the Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier Programme.

AEI Cables will be designing and manufacturing the full range of cable and wiring to supply power, lighting, data communications, fire protection and alarm circuits which need to operate in the most demanding of conditions. The 2,500km of cable for the project would stretch further than from Birtley where AEI has its headquarters to Moscow.

The carriers will be the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy and represent a step change in capability, enabling the delivery of increased strategic effect and influence around the world.

Jim Duffy, Chief Executive of AEI Cables, said: “We’re delighted to win such a major contract and contribute to such an innovative, ground-breaking project.

“This award recognises our technical expertise and manufacturing capability as our products are required to meet the very highest levels of quality and safety standards.”

The development programme is being run by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, whose Programme Director Geoff Searle said: “Once in service, these ships will provide the UK Armed Forces with a vital and extensive naval capability, so it is equally important that we use suppliers who will share the ACA’s commitment to ensuring that together we deliver the best ships possible to the Royal Navy.

“Equally as important, most of these contracts, placed for the Aircraft Carrier Alliance will support local economies and jobs throughout the UK regions.

“The ACA has achieved many substantial milestones in the last 12 months, including commencing work on the build of HMS Queen Elizabeth in four UK shipyards and completing work on the huge Number One Dock in Rosyth where the ships will finally be assembled.

"Continuing this level of momentum is essential and the signing of these contracts is testimony that it will continue through 2010 and beyond.”