A £560m contract for deep maintenance and life extension of HMS Victorious has been awarded to Babcock.
The UK’s Submarine Delivery Agency announced the deal this morning, saying it would mean that the Trident-armed nuclear submarine would be modernised and could ‘continue operational patrols well into the 2030s’.
Work on the submarine is already underway and Babcock says more than 1,000 jobs will be sustained in the south west of England.
Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “In an increasingly dangerous world, it is crucial that we continue to invest in one of our most important assets, our nuclear deterrent.
“On my recent visit to HMNB Devonport it was a privilege to speak with sailors and staff whose work directly contributes to our national security.”
HMS Victorious is the second Vanguard Class submarine to undergo a life extension package at Babcock’s Devonport facility.
Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: “Delivering the programme for this vital and complex defence asset is our top priority. We are proud to have been awarded this complex defence programme which will use our deep engineering expertise to help keep the UK safe.”
Read more: Trident sub returns home – but after how long?
Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Martin Connell said: “The Royal Navy performs no more important mission than Operation Relentless, the continuous at sea strategic deterrent patrols which have been performed by our submariners uninterrupted since 1969.
“The mission requires an unprecedented national effort in support, maintaining our Vanguard-class submarines to the very highest engineering standards.
“The overhaul of HMS Victorious will allow the boat to carry out deterrent patrols until the next generation of submarines, the Dreadnought-class, enter service.”
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