- Costain will deliver services for the UK’s Submarine Dismantling Project
Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, is delivering services to Babcock International Group (Babcock) to support its preparation for the nuclear defueling of decommissioned Trafalgar Class submarines, the first nuclear submarine defueling operation in more than 20 years.
Babcock were recently awarded a three-year contract from the Ministry of Defence worth £114m to prepare for the defueling activities, which are expected to commence in 2026. Defueling is a key enabler of the safe and responsible dismantling of submarines and must be undertaken before the full dismantling process commences. Babcock’s work will see more than 150 new jobs created in the South West of England, aiding regional prosperity.
Costain is providing resource to Babcock for the critical infrastructure works that will support the project. It is delivering the services under an existing contract with Babcock where, as part of a joint venture with Mott MacDonald, it is acting as delivery partner for a series of major infrastructure projects at Devonport in Plymouth to help Babcock meet the evolving requirements of the Royal Navy.
As part of its support to Babcock, Costain’s engineers and experts in quality, health and safety, design, construction and decommissioning are preparing relevant infrastructure, such as dock and fuel handling equipment, for Babcock to use under its contract with the Ministry of Defence, which will enable Babcock to carry out defuel operations.
Bob Anstey, sector director, defence and nuclear energy at Costain, commented: “The provision of critical, fit-for-purpose infrastructure is a vital part of the UK’s defence mission. That includes ensuring that decommissioned nuclear submarines are appropriately defueled and dismantled when they reach the end of their lifespan."
“We have a highly productive relationship with Babcock and we’re looking forward to providing our expertise to this complex, challenging and important project.”
Bob Anstey Sector director, defence and nuclear energy at Costain
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