SDA - Experts & Thought Leaders

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the international defence company, has signed a four-year £750 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), to deliver the infrastructure required to support and sustain the UK’s submarines for decades to come. As part of the major infrastructure programme underway at the Devonport site, Babcock will deliver substantial upgrades to existing infrastructure that will support the future capability of the Royal Navy and the UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise. Modern support facilities The contract for the delivery of infrastructure to support submarine maintenance includes a dock, logistics and modern support facilities, and underpins the wider role Babcock plays in sustaining the entirety of the UK submarine fleet. Crucial to the UK submarine programme, the contract forms part of the site-wide infrastructure upgrade programme at Devonport to enable the ongoing delivery of base maintenance periods and deep maintenance projects for current and future classes of submarine, including nuclear defuel. Providing vital improvements This significant investment will create and sustain more than a thousand UK jobs in the south-west" Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “Maintaining the infrastructure that supports our world-leading submarine fleet is crucial. Delivering on our government’s priority to grow the UK economy, this significant investment will create and sustain more than a thousand UK jobs in the south-west, providing vital improvements to the dockyard that will be critical to ensuring our Royal Navy can continue to protect the UK and our Allies.” Sir Chris Gardner KBE, CEO of the Submarine Delivery Agency said: “Investing in our vital submarine maintenance facilities in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise at Devonport is critical to our National Security. I am delighted to have placed the construction contract with Babcock for the delivery of dock and infrastructure for our Attack Submarine deep maintenance projects later this decade. This will ensure we deliver available and capable submarines for the Royal Navy to operate in defence of our Nation.” Infrastructure delivery experience David Lockwood, Babcock’s Chief Executive, said: “The work we deliver in sustaining the entirety of the UK’s submarine fleet is critical. This investment will ensure that we are able to continue to deliver the complex maintenance and life-extension programmes we undertake to ensure our Royal Navy can continue to go to sea safely, and able to deliver their important work in protecting our nation.” The construction programme is one of the largest of its kind and highlights the MOD’s investment being made at the Devonport site, the skills and capability this brings to the city and region, and the ongoing commitment to protect our nation. The major infrastructure programme will see a further 1,000 construction roles created as the construction phase of the programme continues to ramp up over the coming year. Supporting Babcock on 10 Dock are delivery partners Costain and Mott Macdonald, and main works contractor Kier BAM, bringing world-class infrastructure delivery experience to this important programme.

Babcock and the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) have signed an initial contract for the multi-year refit of the second of the UK’s Vanguard Class nuclear submarines, HMS Victorious. The initial full cost recovery agreement, which will be replaced with a contract on the same terms for the full programme before the end of the year, enables Babcock to begin deep maintenance of the complex submarine at its facility at Devonport. Truly collaborative effort HMS Victorious plays a vital role in the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent. The refit programme will support around 1000 jobs in the local community and will see Babcock continue to build its workforce for delivering future submarine maintenance at Devonport. Babcock’s CEO Nuclear Dominic Kieran said “This is the result of a truly collaborative effort with the SDA. The work we do to support the Vanguard Class fleet, a vital part of the UK’s defence, has never been more important.” Submarine deep maintenance The completion of HMS Victorious’ Deep Maintenance Period is vital to supporting Defence’s highest priority" “The commercial framework we have agreed will ensure the retention of our skilled workforce, support future recruitment and enable us to focus on supporting the SDA in its drive to increase submarine availability.” SDA CEO Chris Gardner said “The completion of HMS Victorious’ Deep Maintenance Period is vital to supporting Defence’s highest priority. We look forward to working with Babcock to deliver the project on time to enable ongoing submarine availability and to continue to transform Devonport Naval Base into a Centre of Excellence for submarine deep maintenance.” Current commercial arrangements Submarine support is critical to the defence of the UK and requires specialist engineering skills and dedicated infrastructure. Babcock, the SDA and the Royal Navy are currently in discussions with the intention of finalising a long-term strategic partnership to ensure the stable, safe, effective and efficient delivery of deep and base maintenance of submarines. Expected to replace current commercial arrangements under the Future Maritime Support Programme, this would place Babcock on a similar footing to other key industrial partners, as part of a wider defence nuclear enterprise.

Anson, the fifth of seven Astute class attack submarines, being built for the Royal Navy, has been launched at BAE Systems’ site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in the United Kingdom. The 7,400-tonne nuclear-powered submarine, officially named at a ceremony in December, emerged from the Devonshire Dock Hall and entered the water for the first time, earlier on April 20, 2021. The launch was a special moment for the Barrow shipyard, which is celebrating its 150th year of establishment and a long and proud relationship with the Royal Navy. Anson, advanced Attack submarine Anson will now begin the next phase of its test and commissioning programme, before leaving Barrow for sea trials with the Royal Navy, in 2021. Steve Timms, the Managing Director at BAE Systems Submarines, said “The launch marks an important milestone in the Astute programme and seeing Anson enter the water, at such an advanced state, is a tangible demonstration of everyone's hard work, over the years.” Designing and building nuclear-powered submarines is a national endeavour" Steve Timms adds, “Designing and building nuclear-powered submarines is a national endeavour and days like this bring a huge sense of pride for our workforce, our partners in the submarine enterprise and our UK supply chain, not to mention our communities. We now look forward to a successful test and commissioning phase and working alongside Anson's crew to prepare the submarine for operations with the Royal Navy.” Astute class boats The Astute class boats are the largest and most advanced attack submarines, ever built for the Royal Navy. Measuring 97 metres in length, the boats can circumnavigate the globe submerged, producing their own oxygen and drinking water. The first four submarines in the class, HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful and HMS Audacious, have been handed over to the Royal Navy, with a further two boats currently under construction, at BAE Systems’ Barrow site. Partnership with Submarine Delivery Agency and Rolls-Royce Working alongside the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) and Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems is also a member of the Dreadnought Alliance, helping to deliver the UK's next class of nuclear deterrent submarines. Two of the four submarines are under construction, with the first due to enter service in the early 2030s. Approximately 10,000 people work on the Dreadnought and Astute programmes, at the Barrow site. To deliver these complex programmes, BAE Systems continues to invest in and recruit employees and new talent. Over the next five years, the company expects to recruit more than 200 graduates and 1,500 apprentices.