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The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £200 million contract to Damen Shipyards Group for the construction of 24 support vessels for the Royal Navy, to be built in China and Vietnam, with no UK yards invited to bid. This decision has drawn criticism from GMB Scotland and local politicians, who emphasize the need for domestic shipbuilding in light of national security concerns. While the MoD has stated that the vessels will be maintained in the UK, questions regarding supply chain transparency and the implications of foreign involvement persist.