Babcock wins UK Royal Navy’s Dreadnought support contracts
Four Dreadnought-class submarines are being built for the UK Royal Navy (Image: Crown Copyright)
Babcock has won contracts worth more than £120 million to support the development and delivery of the Dreadnought-class submarines for the UK’s Royal Navy.
Babcock will provide input into the development of the support solution for the UK’s future Dreadnought-class submarines and Weapon Handling and Launch System (WHLS) and Submerged Signal Ejector equipment for the class's second, third and fourth boats.
Dreadnoughts will replace the Vanguard-class submarines in the early 2030s and fulfil the role of the UK’s ‘continuous at sea deterrent’.
One half of the deal, a four-and-a-half-year support contract worth £66 million (US$83.7 million) for the UK MoD, will see the company provide the ministry with technical and management support, engineering best practice and submarine maintenance achievability. The WHLS contract, worth £55 million, was awarded by prime contractor BAE Systems.
Related Articles
BAE Systems to support weapons on UK and US SSBNs
SSN-AUKUS contract sets foundation for future UK-Australian capability
The contracts wins have followed on from the recent signing of a five-year deal between Babcock and the MoD to support the detailed design for the new SSN-AUKUS submarines, which will replace the Astute-class hunter-killer fleet from the late 2030s.
Shephard Defence Insight noted that the UK was building four new Dreadnought-class SSBNs for the Royal Navy that will take over the nuclear deterrent role from the existing four Vanguard-class submarines.
Previously known as the Successor programme, the Dreadnought boats are being built by BAE Systems Submarine Solutions yard in Barrow.
The whole life cost of the four new submarines has been slated at £31 billion across the vessels' 35-year service life.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![The Philippines strengthens maritime defences amid rising tensions in South China Sea]()
The Philippines strengthens maritime defences amid rising tensions in South China Sea
The Philippine Navy is fast-tracking its maritime modernisation with new warships, unmanned platforms, and international shipbuilding partnerships to bolster its regional deterrence posture.
-
![Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA]()
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
-
![L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts]()
L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
-
![Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS]()
Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
-
![BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft]()
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
