Babcock awarded £114m to defuel Trafalgar-Class subs

The operations will take place at Babcock’s Devonport facility in Plymouth where over 150 new jobs will be created.

In a statement, Babcock CEO, David Lockwood said: “Babcock is focused on attracting more people into the UK’s nuclear industry and the defueling operations at Devonport will create new jobs, sharing knowledge and innovation across the wider submarine enterprise, while supporting more than 300 jobs in the wider supply chain.”

The Ministry of Defence contract will see Babcock working with Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) and industry partners to prepare for the defuel of four decommissioned submarines, with defuel activities recommencing from 2026.

The work will take place in parallel with Babcock’s large-scale infrastructure development programme in Devonport.

Sir Chris Gardner KBE, Submarine Delivery Agency CEO, said: “The signing of this contract with Babcock is a significant step towards the safe defueling of the decommissioned submarines in Devonport, a crucial part of the UK’s commitment to fully dismantling the retired fleet in the most responsible way possible. Collaboration with our industry partners plays an essential role in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise’s ability to support the national endeavour and maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent.”