Babcock signs contract to support the next generation of nuclear submarines

Babcock, the international defence company which has dockyards across the South of England, has signed a five-year contract with the Ministry of Defence to provide input into the detailed design for the new ‘Ship Submersible Nuclear AUKUS‘ (SSN-A) submarines, which will replace the Astute Class from the late 2030s.

This is also the chosen design that Australia will use to build their new fleet, following the announcement from the Australian, United Kingdom and United States Governments regarding the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS (Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) pact.

Working alongside the MOD and others, Babcock’s contract scope includes applying its extensive experience of complex submarine in-service support and maintenance, to build this into the design to maximise the submarines’ availability throughout its service life.  

Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: “Babcock plays a critical role in submarine programmes, supporting submarine availability in the UK and internationally.  The importance of applying our extensive knowledge and long-standing experience is being recognised through this contract award to ensure that the new Class delivers the operational availability through life that the Royal Navy requires.  

“In addition, we look forward to providing ongoing support to help deliver capability for the Royal Australian Navy under the AUKUS agreement.”

READ MORE: Babcock completes 50th armoured conversion of Landcruiser 300

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said, “This multi-billion-pound investment in the AUKUS submarine programme will help deliver the long term hunter-killer submarine capabilities the UK needs to maintain our strategic advantage and secure our leading place in a contested global order.

“I’m committed to backing our defence industry, because it’s only with the mission critical support of businesses like Babcock that the UK can develop the advanced equipment our Armed Forces need to defend the British people in a more dangerous world.”

Babcock has a proven track record for managing complex assets in highly regulated environments.  Owning and operating the UK’s only Nuclear Licensed facility for refitting, refuelling and defueling nuclear submarines, Babcock sustains all the Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet, including the delivery of through-life support and life extension of the Vanguard, Trafalgar, and Astute Submarine Classes.

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