Babcock has received a three-year, 114-million-pound ($153 million) contract from the UK to prepare for the nuclear defueling of four decommissioned Trafalgar-class submarines, marking the first such operation in over 20 years.
Defueling, set to begin in 2026, is a critical first step before full dismantling can take place.
It involves the safe removal of nuclear fuel and is conducted in coordination with the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and industry partners.
The program aims to recover and recycle up to 90 percent of each submarine’s materials, supporting safe and environmentally responsible disposal of the UK’s retired nuclear fleet.
The work will be carried out at the Devonport facility in Plymouth, located in southwest England.
“Collaboration with our industry partners plays an essential role in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise’s ability to support the national endeavor and maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent,” said Sir Chris Gardner KBE, CEO of the governmental Submarine Delivery Agency.
Boosting Defense
As the UK progresses in dismantling its aging vessels, it is also planning for a new submarine fleet under the country’s Strategic Defence Review, unveiled earlier this month.
The initiative includes building up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed and nuclear-powered submarines as part of a trilateral pact with the US and Australia.
In recent months, London has moved to ramp up its military budget, announcing plans to increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, marking the UK’s largest sustained military expansion since the Cold War.
