Rosyth Dockyard may play a central role in supporting an expanded nuclear submarine fleet under a £340 million infrastructure programme, the UK Defence Journal understands.
With up to 12 new attack submarines planned in addition to the four Dreadnought-class ballistic missile boats, current dockyard capacity is already under strain.
In a written parliamentary response we reported earlier this week, Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle confirmed that “the cost of planned infrastructure upgrades at Rosyth Dockyard are £340 million. The cost includes the requirement to deliver a contingent docking facility for HMS Dreadnought during its sea trial period.”
The contingent dock would provide a backup site outside the Clyde and Devonport, both of which already face pressure. Babcock executives suggested the investment could position Rosyth to host working submarines, not just dismantling.
David Lockwood OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Babcock, told me and other journalists at Rosyth today that the facility to dock and maintain submarines is being discussed with government:
“The aim is to be able to start bringing nuclear submarines in here again, not to break them up, but working submarines. If you add submarine dismantling, carrier building, Type 31 work, and now the contingent dock, you can really see how this site could become quite a vibrant place.” He added that Babcock had already put “well into nine figures” of its own corporate investment into Rosyth over the past five years.
Sir Nick Hine KCB, Chief Executive, Marine at Babcock and a former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, also explained the rationale: “As part of the Dreadnought safety case for sailing from Barrow, they need to have access to a contingent docking facility that can take Dreadnought. She can’t go back into Barrow and she can’t get into Devonport, so she needs a contingency site. More broadly, if you’re going to have a larger fleet, when you’ve got 12 attack submarines not seven, two bases feels too exposed. Having a third base becomes part of the debate.”
Both made clear that the debate with the government now centres on scale, whether to “just do the minimum” or build capacity to handle broader submarine maintenance requirements.
Good idea there is a back log in repair and scraping. Makes a lot of sense to add it as a repair bay as well as a base.
Can we clarify that “Up to 12 new attack submarines planned” bit ?
Is the plan to add these to the Ass Toots, or does it include them ?
Confused from Cambridge !
Replace the astutes.
In the long term yes but they will serve side by side for a long time.lets say each asute lasts 26-27 years
There will be the following astutes feom 2035 onwards
7 boats in 2036
6 boats in 2037-2040
5 boats in 2041-2044
4 boats in 2045- 2048
3 boats in 2049-2050
2 boats in 2050-2054
1 boat out to 2057 at which point the first SSN AUKUS would be almost 20 years old.
If you consider the first AUKUS is probably going to be operational 2038 and they will commission 1 every 18 months ( apparently) by 2042 the RN may be operating 3 AUKUS and 5 Astute.. by 2045 5 AUKUS and 4 astute, 2051 would see probably 9 AUKUS and 2 ASTUTE and 12 boats would be reached in 2053 with 10 AUKUS and 2 ASTUTE 2055/56 any see the SSN fleet actually for a short time max out at 13 boats as the 12th AUKUS is delivered and the last ASTUTE is decommissioned…that’s if they order 12, have the 18 month drumbeat and get the first one for 2038…lot of ifs.
I unserstand that the first 5 AUKUS boats will be built before the Astute class start going out of service, then AUKUS boats 6-12 will gradually replace them.
OK thanks Mal. It’s all a bit fluffy though, I’d like to see the timeline and some names before getting too excited.
Of course – it’s a long way off (although they probably need to get order placed in 2027).
Shouldn’t some initial data/details re SSN-A build schedule be included in the Defence Investment Plan (w/ an unfortunate acronym), due before CY end?
Due to the slow commissioning of the last ASUTES they will probably still be in the fleet until the mid 2050s if as planned the first AUKUS is operational around 2038ish and they have a commissioning drumbeat is one every 18 months then the last ASUTE would be decommissioned at about the time the 12th AUKUS is commissioned.
IF we get 12 attack submarines; the government have made no commitment and future governments can cut the numbers. I’ll be delighted if we do get them though, when playing fantasy fleets I always thought 12 subs and 12 of each class of surface ship (36 escort ships) would be a decent balance.