The Ministry of Defence has responded to questions on the Submarine Dismantling Project’s economic and job impact in Scotland.
Labour MP Graeme Downie of Dunfermline and Dollar posed a series of questions to the Ministry of Defence about the ongoing Submarine Dismantling Project. These questions covered a range of topics, including skills development for Scottish workers, the economic impact of the project on both Scotland and the UK, the project’s timeline, and the role of international collaboration.
In response, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Luke Pollard explained the extensive engagement between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Scottish Government, as well as the positive outcomes the project has already generated.
He stated: “The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with Scottish Government officials on the Submarine Disposals Programme, allowing constructive dialogue on a wide range of issues including jobs. Swiftsure, the first vessel to be disposed of, is being used as a demonstrator to refine the dismantling and recycling processes under the Ministry of Defence’s Submarine Dismantling Project. Learning from this, alongside market engagement, is informing our approach to both current and future submarine disposal plans. The Submarine Dismantling Project currently sustains more than 500 jobs across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and, so far, has invested upwards of £200 million into Babcock International Group’s Rosyth dockyard and the wider UK supply chain. It continues to provide a source of highly skilled jobs in Scotland and the rest of the UK.”
In a subsequent question, Downie sought clarity on the potential economic impact of the project. Pollard’s response highlighted the sustained job creation efforts and the long-term economic benefits of the initiative. He noted that the MOD is committed to ensuring the project remains on track to deliver high-skilled employment and investment in local infrastructure. Pollard elaborated on the importance of the Swiftsure dismantling, describing it as a key learning tool that would guide future efforts across the fleet.
Downie also raised concerns about the project’s timeline and its decommissioning milestones, to which Pollard confirmed: “Swiftsure dismantling is on track and due to complete in 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019. Over 90% of the submarine will be recycled. We are currently working with Babcock in Rosyth to plan for the next two boats in sequence, with a view to being on contract next year.”
Regarding international collaboration, Pollard added that the UK had been actively engaging with allies such as the USA and France, sharing valuable insights to accelerate the UK’s dismantling programme. This collaboration aims to refine and optimise the UK’s processes while ensuring the project meets international standards.
The Submarine Dismantling Project remains a significant undertaking, both in terms of its contribution to the UK’s defence infrastructure and the high-skilled jobs it continues to sustain across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
I did some work on the Disposal Plan a few years ago. Glad to see they are on track to finish Swiftsure in 2026.
one hopes that once they have completed it, the dismantling of future subs should be done in a quicker timeframe, now they know what to do.