The biggest submarine dry dock at His Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport (HMNB Devonport), known as 9 Dock, was reopened on 12 September 2024 following a major refurbishment project worth GBP 200 million (EUR 236.6 million) completed under a contract with Babcock International Group, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported the same day.
HMNB Devonport, located in the west of the Devon city of Plymouth, is the biggest naval base in Western Europe and has been a vital support hub for the Royal Navy since 1691. Spread across a vast area of more than 650 acres, it features 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths and five basins.
The upgrades made to the dock have been undertaken to maintain and upgrade the support services, buildings, security arrangements and the equipment in the dock, such as the installation of the Alternative Mechanical Handling package that will help reduce the maintenance durations by driving up productivity. This major refurbishment to 9 Dock allows the continuation of the Deep Maintenance Period (DMP) work on the Royal Navy’s fleet of four Vanguard-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).”
Babcock noted in a 12 September press release, “We have completed an extensive regeneration project of 9 Dock in Devonport. This included maintenance, life extension and facility improvements, delivering the most significant package of infrastructure work since the early 2000s. The site will receive the UK Vanguard-class submarines, which are critical in supporting the UK’s Continuous at Sea Deterrent and securing the long-term defence of the nation.
The company added that “As part of Babcock’s long-term partnership with the Submarine Delivery Agency, including the maintenance of the UK’s Vanguard-class submarines, this upgraded facility will deliver the current GBP 560 million maintenance programme already underway on HMS Victorious, extending the boat’s operational life.”
UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle, who was at the 9 Dock opening event in Plymouth, stated at the ceremony, “The Vanguard fleet is at the heart of deterring our adversaries and keeping the UK safe. This government is committed to a ‘triple-lock’ on our nuclear [deterrent] and to bolstering national security through crucial refurbishments such as this one.”
This ‘triple-lock’, as described by the MoD, includes building four new nuclear submarines in Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria; maintaining the UK’s Continuous At-Sea Nuclear Deterrent; and delivering all future upgrades needed.
The same day Eagle also opened the new Babcock Engineering & Nuclear Skills building at City College Plymouth. Part of the Babcock Skills Academy, the new facility will enhance the capabilities of the company’s growing workforce focused on the UK’s nuclear programmes, building a new pipeline of talent while upskilling the existing workforce on the complex skills required to perform deep submarine maintenance.
Babcock CEO David Lockwood was quoted by the company as saying, “Supporting the Continuous at Sea Deterrent is the most important thing we do. The huge investment and increase in digital technology in this submarine facility ensures the UK has a sovereign, fit-for-purpose, deep maintenance capability now and in the future.
“Opening our Engineering & Skills building at City College Plymouth on the same day,” he added, “demonstrates our commitment to securing the critical nuclear skills the UK needs to continue to deliver these vital defence programmes.”
