Lloyd’s Register (LR) has signed a 12-month contract with the Ministry of Defence to provide in-service support for the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
The deal, agreed through the MOD’s Aurora Framework, will see LR embed experienced surveyors at HM Naval Base Clyde and provide technical consultancy from MOD Abbey Wood.
This marks the first time LR has been formally contracted to support operational submarines in this capacity. The company will deliver structural assurance and safety oversight, aiming to apply lessons from class-based regimes typically used in the commercial maritime sector.
“This contract represents a major step forward in our mission to support the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet,” said Matthew Palmer, LR’s Segment Director for Global Nuclear and Naval Submarines. “By embedding experts within the Royal Navy’s operating environment, LR is now uniquely positioned to help shape future submarine support frameworks.”
Although Royal Navy submarines are not formally classed to commercial standards, the MOD has increasingly explored how technical assurance from outside providers can reinforce fleet safety and availability.
The agreement reflects a long-standing collaboration between LR and the MOD in other areas of defence marine work.
According to LR, the dual-location approach is intended to ensure a combination of responsive site-based support and deeper strategic input from Abbey Wood. The organisation has emphasised that this model can help the MOD strengthen the sustainment of its submarine fleet without compromising operational independence.
LR’s involvement in day-to-day assurance represents a shift in how the UK manages the technical lifecycle of its most sensitive defence platforms.
Hmmme
I’m not sure a future trip down the HSE style absolutist regimes is a great idea.
They know nothing about military submersibles at organisational level.
Why?
Is this a reaction from the Duty Holder refusing to sign things off without appropriate technical support? Maybe as a reaction to a near miss?
This may simply be a first step towards LLoyds insuring the fleet – which would be an interesting idea.
Not many ships have been lost to enemy action in the past 80 years.
You do know all RN surface vessels are classed by Lloyds without any of the issues you are suggesting.
So H&S and a plethora of other rules, regulations and standards will apply, to Royal Navy vessels?
Lloyds Register rules already apply to all RN surface vessels, eg dry-docking every 5 years for hull inspections. Try and keep up.
My first question is where is LR technical expertise coming from? Good with Merchant vessels but Nuclear Submarines?
The MoD seems to want to put in place all of the “extra’s” but seem to lack the ability to confront the basic truth that we need more subs, more personnel and more facilities to service the submarine fleet, Oh’ and the ability to build more than one sub every 10 years.
It is just more civvies getting their fingers in the defence budget pie to the detriment of the UK’s ability to defend it’s self.
It is an obsession with outsourcing.
The main question is ‘do we need to do this at all?’
It’s a good way to spend money and end up with nothing to show for it. The MOD way.
Spot on regarding the outsourcing. As regards do we need to do this… people who look to outsource, generally believe they are doing good, and saving money. I have yet to come across a situation where outsourcing or subcontracting actually saves money.
Amen and amen! Thought only Uncle Sugar’s legions were thus afflicted. 🤔😳😉
• The RN is already lobbying for 12 AUKUS SSNs, an increase over the 7 Astutes
• The recruitment budget was increased 20% last-year to £72m
• The Clyde Infrastructure Programme (CIP) costing £1.9bn has been running for several years to upgrade the facilities at Faslane and RNAD Coulport. Additionally Project Euston looks to provide floating dry-docks.
But it appears you want to keep repeating Russian desinformatsiya that it “lacks the ability to confront the basic truth” about these.
So it is Russian disinformation that we can barely put 1 SSN to sea and in some cases zero.
It is Russian disinformation telling us that most of the SSN fleet is alongside waiting for a drydock to complete refit.
It is Russian disinformation telling us that not just the RN but the whole of the UK’s armed forces have a problem with recruitment
And it is Russian disinformation telling us that it is taking at least 10 years to build one boat.
I do believe that the only Russian disinformation that is going on is to tall the public that the RN and the Submarine service in in a good place and can protect the UK
• It’s Russian disinformation to say that the RN/MOD don’t want to increase the SSN fleet.
• It’s Russian disinformation to say that the RN/MOD aren’t doing anything to improve recruitment.
• It’s Russian disinformation to say The RN/MOD have got work in hand (though belated) to improve shore facilities fur servicing submarines.
The three things you originally said, and all of which are factually untrue. You know this is untrue, which is why you then disingenuously changed the subjects to the current situation rather than addressing the causes of the current situation.
Or maybe ‘Stevanoch Alfred Rake’ is just an habitual liar?
What is factually wrong is trying to convince the public that all is OK with with the UK’s armed forces not just the Navy and especially the submarine service, after decades of ripping the defence budget to bits along with the introduction of civilian companies who only see the Defence budget as a get rich quick scheme, having zero interest in the defence of the UK.
Yes there have been a few contracts put in place but even if they are compleated on time and to budget it is going to take at least 10 t0 20 years to put in place what we should already have. Then we come to getting more SSN’s the minimum should be 12, but with the UK’s limited ability to build submarines so we can only start on a new class of SSN’s after we have compleated the new class of SSBN’s. it is going to be the late 2070/80’s before we see 12 SSNs (if at all) in RN service.
In the mean time the RN is struggling to keep 1 boat at sea.
Just because a contract has been agreed or even signed it dose not rectify the decades of under investment or am I being disingenuous!!!!
Look at the Air Tanker PFI. Seemed like a good idea to outsource another part of the military to a civvy company – all well and good but it restricted the RAF’s operational flexibility somewhat. Now the RAF is planning to buy 12 F35As, which can only refuel via a boom. So they will have to rely on other NATO nations to help out.
You really don’t understand this do you?
Or the fact Lloyd’s Register rules already apply to all RN surface vessels.
Its not an outsourcing contract 🤦🏻♂️
By the way, no U.K. SSNs are at sea today, Anson returned to port.
We really need to get the submarine support-facilities sorted-out pronto, it’s taking too long.