UK awards £114m contract to Babcock for submarine defueling, first in over 20 years

Babcock chief executive David Lockwood said the operations would strengthen the UK’s nuclear skills base. “The defueling operations at Devonport will create more than 150 new jobs and support more than 300 across the wider supply chain.” Lockwood said.

Submarine Delivery Agency chief executive Sir Chris Gardner described the agreement as a “significant step” in the UK’s efforts to dismantle retired nuclear-powered submarines.

Separately, Babcock is working on a demonstrator project at its Rosyth facility, also under the SDP, to dismantle the former HMS Swiftsure. According to the company, around 90 per cent of the vessel’s structure and components are expected to be reused or recycled.