Defence giant, Babcock International, has signed a four-year £750m contract with the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA).

Babcock said the move can deliver the infrastructure required to support and sustain the UK’s submarines “for decades to come”.

As part of the major infrastructure programme underway at the Devonport site, Babcock will deliver substantial upgrades to existing infrastructure that will support the future capability of the Royal Navy and the UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

The contract for the delivery of infrastructure to support submarine maintenance includes a dock, logistics and modern support facilities, which Babcock suggested can underpin the wider role it plays in sustaining the entirety of the UK submarine fleet.

Babcock chief executive, David Lockwood, said: “The work we deliver in sustaining the entirety of the UK’s submarine fleet is critical. This investment will ensure that we are able to continue to deliver the complex maintenance and life-extension programmes we undertake to ensure our Royal Navy can continue to go to sea safely, and able to deliver their important work in protecting our nation.”

The construction programme is one of the largest of its kind and highlights the MOD’s investment being made at the Devonport site. The infrastructure programme will see a further 1,000 construction roles created as the construction phase of the programme continues to ramp up over the coming year.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “Maintaining the infrastructure that supports our world-leading submarine fleet is crucial.

“Delivering on our Government’s priority to grow the UK economy, this significant investment will create and sustain more than a thousand UK jobs in the south-west, providing vital improvements to the dockyard that will be critical to ensuring our Royal Navy can continue to protect the UK and our Allies.”

CEO of the SDA, Sir Chris Gardner KBE, added: “Investing in our vital submarine maintenance facilities in the defence nuclear enterprise at Devonport is critical to our national security. I am delighted to have placed the construction contract with Babcock for the delivery of dock and infrastructure for our attack submarine deep maintenance projects later this decade.

“This will ensure we deliver available and capable submarines for the Royal Navy to operate in defence of our nation.”

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