REG - Babcock Intnl Group - Contract awarded to refit UK nuclear submarine

Babcock InternationalAnnouncement

01/03/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 0524F  Babcock International Group PLC  01 March 2024

1 March 2024

 

Babcock International PLC

Babcock awarded contract to refit UK nuclear submarine

Babcock International Group PLC ("Babcock" or "the Group") and the UK's
Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) have agreed a full cost recovery contract
worth an estimated £560 million to undertake the planned deep maintenance and
life extension programme for HMS Victorious, one of the UK's Vanguard Class
nuclear submarines.

The multi-year life extension programme will deliver HMS Victorious back to
the Royal Navy modernised and improved, enabling it to continue operational
patrols well into the 2030s. Work on the submarine is already underway,
following a commitment by the Department to authorise early-works from July
2023.

Through the HMS Victorious programme, more than 1,000 jobs will be sustained
in the south west.  Alongside this, Babcock is continuing to build its
workforce through its Plymouth-based Babcock Skills Academy, which includes a
focus on submarine support and the critical nuclear skills required to perform
deep submarine maintenance.

HMS Victorious is the second Vanguard Class submarine to undergo a life
extension package at Babcock's Devonport facility. It performs a vital role as
part of the UK's critical continuous at sea deterrent and represents one of
the most complex pieces of engineering there is.

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."

Babcock's supports all of the UK's submarine fleet. The capability and
experience gained through delivery of similar complex projects, combined with
new ways of working, is being applied to deliver this important overhaul
programme at pace.

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.

"This is another UK partnership with Babcock, that will help keep the UK safe,
while boosting the local economy and supporting 1,000 jobs.

"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."

 

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."

The programme is being delivered at Babcock's facility in Devonport where a
major infrastructure programme is underway to ensure the future capability
requirements of the Royal Navy and the submarine enterprise are met for
decades to come from state-of-the-art facilities.

Ends

Notes to Editor:

Babcock is an international defence company, operating in our focus countries
of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to
additional markets. We support and enhance our customers' defence capabilities
and critical assets through a range of product and service solutions,
providing increased availability, affordability and capability.

For further information:

Andrew Gollan, Babcock Director of Investor Relations               +44
(0)7936 039 004

Kate Hill, Babcock Group Director of Communications                +44
(0)20 7355 5312

Olivia Peters / Harry Cameron, Teneo
            +44 (0)20 7353 4200

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