Babcock will substantially upgrade existing infrastructure to support the future capability of the Royal Navy and the UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise

The UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) has signed a four-year €860 (£750) million contract with Babcock International Group PLC (Babcock) to deliver the infrastructure necessary to support and sustain the UK’s submarines for decades to come.

As part of a major infrastructure programme underway at the Devonport (UK) site, Babcock will substantially upgrade existing infrastructure to support the future capability of the Royal Navy and the UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

Among other things, the contract includes a dock, logistics and modern support facilities.

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.

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.”

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.”

The construction programme is one of the largest of its kind. 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.