BAE to invest £300m at Barrow submarine yard
DEFENCE group BAE Systems is to invest more than £300m at its site in Barrow-in-Furness to “transform” its submarine building capabilities.
The eight-year programme, which will employ approximately 850 contractors at its peak, includes new facilities and the refurbishment of existing buildings as BAE prepares to build new nuclear submarines that will replace Trident.
The Government is expected to give the green light in 2016.
Tony Johns, managing director of BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines, said: “Redevelopment of the site is fundamental to the future of our business and will ensure we stay at the forefront of submarine design, build, test and commissioning.
“This investment will provide a modern, 21st century environment for our employees to apply the unique skills and expertise that have delivered complex submarines to the UK Royal Navy for over a century.
“The Successor programme, to replace the Vanguard class submarines, remains subject to final approval in 2016, but it is vital we begin these improvements now in order to achieve the Government’s target of having the first submarine in service by 2028.”
The improvements at the Barrow yard, which employs around 6,000 staff, will include: an extension to the Devonshire Dock Hall construction facility; two new buildings that will house pressure hull units ready for shot blast and paint and the integration of submarine equipment; the refurbishment of the site’s main fabrication facility; and an intention to build a 280,000 sq ft off-site logistics facility to store submarine parts and materials.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “Barrow has a proven track record of designing and building submarines with a battle winning edge for the Royal Navy. The world leading engineering skills that are currently delivering the Astute class are vital to ensure we can deliver the submarines of the future.
“The next generation nuclear-deterrent submarines that will be built in Barrow will be the largest and most advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. The £300m of infrastructure work that will take place over the coming years will not only protect 6,000 highly skilled jobs at the site, but also provide hundreds of additional construction jobs.”
BAE Systems is leading on the design of the Successor submarine, working alongside the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Rolls Royce and Babcock.
