The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future (SWIF) programme at HM Naval Base Devonport is moving from design into the construction phase, marking a key milestone in efforts to restore and modernise the UK’s submarine maintenance capacity, according to a written parliamentary response published on 30 April 2025.
In response to a question from James Cartlidge MP (Conservative – South Suffolk), Defence Minister Maria Eagle stated: “The Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future (SWIF) programme will deliver substantial infrastructure upgrades at HM Naval Base Devonport, as part of a wider significant investment programme to restore capacity and resilience to support the maintenance of our submarine fleet.”
She added that the design stage is now nearing completion and that “we are now starting the construction stage.” This follows recent restoration work at Devonport’s 9 Dock, which has been prepared to support submarine deep maintenance, and 15 Dock, which has been upgraded to enable operational maintenance.
The SWIF programme forms part of the UK’s broader investment in submarine support infrastructure, which is critical for maintaining the readiness and longevity of the Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered fleet, including the Astute-class attack submarines and Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines.
The improvements at Devonport are essential to ensure long-term sustainment of the fleet as new capabilities, such as the Dreadnought-class, come online in the coming years.
Is that a wordy way of saying ‘We’re building a big shed in Plymouth ‘?
YEP!
No mate it’s not. They are totally revamping/rebuilding all the docks around 5 Basin (8-15 docks), to accommodate all the future combatants that are due to enter service.
TBH, this should have been done years ago and instead of beginning the other year, should really have been coming to completion in the next year or so.
Deep,
Excellent to note that you are still monitoring this site! This article states that this programme is specifically addressing SSBN/SSN maintenance infrastructure. Therefore, seven separate drydocks for subs? 🤔 Plus two floating drydocks and a shiplift at HNMB Clyde? Either an embarrassment of maintenance capability, or someone is actually planning for a (considerably) larger fleet in the foreseeable future?
BTW, a separate programme to accommodate T-26/T-31 maintenance at HMNB Devonport? Shares of local construction companies should be attractive. 🤔😉
!
Actually eight drydocks dedicated to submarines at HNMB Devonport (although one will apparently be dedicated to disassembly of retired subs)?
HMNB Devonport (apparently undiagnosed dyslexia) 🙄
HMNB Clyde 🙄
Evening @F-USAF, no mate, not all those docks around 5 Basin are for SMs, 3 I believe are being rebuilt to accommodate our new ships (T31/26 etc). The frigate complex is no longer able to accommodate the new designs as its too small, so not sure what’s going to happen with it. Believe it’s all due to be complete by 2030, so, should be good to go when the new units actually arrive.
Would be happy if we just built 1 floating dock, but v happy if we got 2. Someone has clearly got their thinking cap on at long last. Infrastructure at Devonport is essentially paid for, just need the teddies for the floating docks now.
Reddies not teddies! That’s auto correct for you!
It is the equivalent of saying all the things that Ben Wallace sorted out are starting to crystallise into usable facilities…
I thought we were told all submarines were to be based in Scotland.
They are.