Plans to transform BAE Systems' submarine construction site

Plans to transform BAE Systems’ submarine construction site

Maritime August 18, 2016

Devonshire Dock hall extension - BAE Systems' submarine construction site

The programme to transform BAE Systems’ submarine construction site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria has gathered pace with the award of another major contract and erection of the first steelwork for the largest of the planned new facilities to build Successor, the replacement for the Royal Navy’s Vanguard Class submarines.

BAE Systems has signed a £67M contract with Morgan Sindall to extend its Devonshire Dock Hall to incorporate new manufacturing and installation capabilities. The facility hosts the construction of Astute Class submarines and is where Successor will be integrated and tested.

This development is part of an investment programme which includes a number of new facilities and refurbishment of existing buildings. The Central Yard Facility will stand 45m tall with work well under way, with the first pieces of its steel structure now in place. A new 28,000m² off-site logistics facility is also due to open later this year.

The design and build of a brand-new, nuclear-powered submarine is one of the world’s most complex engineering challenges and is a significant national endeavour which will involve a supply chain stretching the length and breadth of the country.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin MP, said: “This infrastructure investment at BAE Systems in Barrow will help ensure our new Successor submarines are built efficiently. The Successor programme is a truly national undertaking, and this investment is another example of the Government’s commitment to maintaining the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent.”

Allan Day, director of the site redevelopment programme at BAE Systems Submarines, said: “We are in the third year of an eight-year redevelopment programme which is starting to see some dramatic changes across our site as we enhance our facilities and capabilities for the future. The Devonshire Dock Hall is an iconic building – home to the construction of some of the world’s most advanced and capable submarines. This contract will enhance the facility to ensure our workforce can deliver future submarine programmes to the Royal Navy.”