Babcock has deepened its involvement in both the UK’s Dreadnought-class and the US Columbia-class nuclear submarine programmes, securing a significant new order for missile tube assemblies and reinforcing its role in the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) project.
In its preliminary results for the year ending 31 March 2025, the company confirmed that it had secured a new contract to supply an additional 36 missile tubes for the Columbia programme. The work builds on Babcock’s longstanding involvement in the advanced manufacture of these assemblies for both the Royal Navy and US Navy.
“We continue to deliver further missile tube assemblies for both the UK Dreadnought and US Columbia submarine Classes, in support of the common missile compartment programme,” the company stated. “Our leading position in advanced manufacture of missile tube assemblies led to a further contract award of 36 missile tubes by General Dynamics Electric Boat, who is responsible for the design and the construction of the U.S. Naval Columbia submarines programme.”
The missile tube work is a key element of the CMC programme, which ensures interoperability between the UK and US strategic deterrent platforms through a standardised launch system. The design and manufacture of these components is technically complex and strategically significant.
Babcock did not disclose the value of the new contract, but it adds to the company’s growing defence order book, which now stands at £10.4 billion. It also reflects growing confidence in UK industrial capability to deliver high-specification components for allied submarine programmes under tight timelines.
In addition to the missile tubes themselves, Babcock reported progress on other elements of submarine capability. “Our Mission Systems business was awarded two significant contracts in FY25,” it noted. These included “a contract for Long Lead Items for the Astute replacement, Submersible Ship Nuclear AUKUS (SSNA), enabling us to place orders for the first elements of the Weapon Handling and Launch System,” as well as “an additional contract to supply Integrated Tube Hulls in support of the US Columbia Class programme.”
The company also highlighted its continuing role in providing “technical support to the in-service TLAM Tomahawk missile.”
These developments form part of Babcock’s broader effort to position itself at the heart of submarine sustainment and capability modernisation for both the UK and its strategic partners. The work is concentrated at its sites in the UK, where the company manufactures, integrates, and tests submarine systems for both the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Navy under tightly controlled export and security protocols.
The Columbia and Dreadnought classes are expected to serve into the second half of the 21st century, ensuring that missile tube manufacture and related systems work remain a long-term industrial priority.
Everyone talks about how the UK depends so much on the US as far as far as our nuclear deterrent goes; not so much said about areas where the US depends on the UK…
“Depends” is doing some heavy lifting there.
Oh absolutely—it’s the UK armed forces carrying the US. Really pulling the whole superpower thing on their shoulders. Great stuff 👍
It’s like Bae doesn’t exist.
BAe do a massive amount of business in the US both directly and via their Defence Contacting operations. For example in 2023 they had £23 billion worth of contracts with just the Navy.
ABCR,
Not certain, but perceive a gradual melding of design and development process across the submarine enterprise, as a consortium. Post SSN(A), not certain truly independent UK and US CMS, sensor and wraps options will exist. Probable positive and negative consequences of design by committee. Your thoughts?
On a purely aesthetics note. I hope they keep the streamlined sail from the Dreadnaught. That plus the X find give it a very futuristic look.
Hopefuilly our subs won’t lose their signature “look” in favour of a US style.
Also, we need to develop our own delivery vehicles for our nuclear weapons. Easy to say, difficult to do, but essential in a world where the USA is no longer dependable.
It won’t happen though – we’re too busy on our knees fluffing Trump with 12 shiny new jets, which play no part in the UK’s stratergy other than to keep him happy.