Babcock submarine dismantling project achieves new milestone with fin removal

The fin of the ex- Swiftsure – the first decommissioned Royal Navy submarine undergoing dismantling – is lowered after being cut away from the main body of the boat at Babcock's dockyard in Rosyth, Scotland. (MoD/Crown Copyright)

Babcock has announced further progress on its efforts to dismantle and recycle a UK Royal Navy (RN) decommissioned nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) for the first time under the Defence Nuclear Enterprise's Submarine Dismantling Project.

In the latest milestone, announced by Babcock on 4 June, the fin was cut and successfully removed from ex-HMS Swiftsure at Babcock's Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland.

Ex-HMS Swiftsure, which retired from service in 1992, will be the first UK SSN to be fully dismantled by the end of 2026. Ex-Swiftsure is being used as a demonstrator for the Submarine Dismantling Project, which aims to incorporate lessons learned to improve the process for all future submarines.

Following public consultations in 2012 and 2015 the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) adopted a three-stage approach to dismantling that meets safety and regulatory standards and is in line with government policy. The first stage involves the removal of the less radioactive parts of a submarine's nuclear reactor, which contain only low-level radioactive waste (LLW).

This is followed in the second stage by the complete removal of all intermediate-level radioactive waste (ILW) as well as larger components such as the reactor pressure vessel that holds the reactor core. The process also includes ensuring that the submarine has been completely cleared of all radioactivity and radioactive material as well as removing any remaining elements that are classified.