UK prepares to dismantle its first nuclear-powered submarine

UK defense and aerospace company Babcock International has awarded a recycling contract to KDC Veolia Decommissioning Services (KDCV) for the UK’s nuclear-powered submarine HMS Swiftsure.

As part of the UK’s demonstrator project, Swiftsure will be the first decommissioned UK nuclear-powered submarine to be fully dismantled and disposed of. Babcock claims that its approach is “the world’s first”, as it plans to apply a “new and innovative methodology”, which will enable around 90% of the structure and components to be reused or recycled. 

This includes the pressure hull around the reactor compartment, once full radiological reassurance monitoring has been completed.

This milestone builds on work already completed by Babcock’s teams to remove the submarine’s reactor systems and low-level radioactive waste. With safety and environmental protection in mind, and using a specially designed in-dock facility, the waste has been processed for removal from the site through Rosyth’s active waste management facility.

“This is a world first. We are bringing together our experience of supporting the entire UK submarine fleet, our nuclear expertise and our ability to bring the best of industry together on this programme to spearhead the approach for the safe disposal of all ex-service nuclear submarines,” Harry Holt, Chief Executive of our Nuclear Sector, said.

“Working with the Ministry of Defence and Babcock on this unique and complex project will mark a new sustainable way of decommissioning and recycling this type of vessel. By using Veolia’s global skills, we will deliver this world-first project as part of our GreenUp strategic programme designed to depollute, decarbonise and preserve resources,” Veolia’s John Abraham, Chief Operating Officer – Industrial, Water & Energy for UK, Ireland and Nordics, stated.

The official start of the hull dismantling process was marked by the first ceremonial cut of steel and the visit of more than 40 former crew members.

According to Babcock, Swiftsure remains on track to be dismantled by 2026, ahead of the wider program to fully dismantle all decommissioned Royal Navy submarines.

The Swiftsure class was a class of nuclear-powered fleet attack submarines in service with the Royal Navy from the early 1970s until 2010.

Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering built six Swiftsure-class submarines, with the lead ship in this class, HMS Swiftsure, ending its service life in 1992. The last boat in this class, HMS Sceptre, came out of service in 2010.

The navy’s Swiftsure and Trafalgar-class were replaced by new Astute-class submarines. The latest unit in this class, HMS Agamemnon, was launched at BAE Systems’ facility in Barrow last month.