Focus on Leveraging Best Practice and Project Management Experience

On 23 April the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) officially launched the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) in a move that marks a milestone set out in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) to strengthen arrangements to support the UK’s submarine capability

The SDA will procure and project manage the construction of future Royal Navy submarines, and support those in-service, working with Navy Command and the newly established Defence Nuclear Organisation. The vision of the SDA is to lead a high-performing industrial enterprise to deliver and support the UK’s submarine capability safely, securely and more effectively and cost efficiently. With employment of around 1,300, the Agency already has a talented and extremely knowledgeable workforce, including some of the nation’s most experienced nuclear experts. It will have the authority and freedom to recruit and retain the best people to manage the Submarine Enterprise. The majority of SDA staff will be based in Bristol, with other colleagues located at sites such as Barrow, Derby, Devonport, Rosyth and Faslane.

“The SDA is to lead a high-performing industrial enterprise that is committed to strengthening the safety, availability, reliability and security of UK submarines, including our Continuous At Sea Deterrent. The Agency will draw on best practice from both the public and private sectors with a focus on cost effective and timely delivery to achieve the best possible outcomes for Defence,” commented SDA Chief Executive Officer Ian Booth.

A key facet of the SDA is to manage the Dreadnought and Astute nuclear submarine programmes to time and budget, alongside providing day-to-day support to the in-service fleet of Trafalgar, Astute and Vanguard Class submarines. As a responsible nuclear operator, the organisation will also manage the decommissioning and disposal of submarines in a safe and environmentally sound way.