UK's submarine fleet faces readiness crisis as First Sea Lord inspects Devonport upgrades
The First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, recently toured Babcock International’s Devonport site in Plymouth. His visit comes as concerns grow over the UK’s submarine fleet readiness, with allied forces facing risks in the Atlantic due to low availability of key vessels. Babcock plays a central role in maintaining and upgrading the Royal Navy’s submarine capabilities.
During the visit, General Jenkins reviewed ongoing programmes and facilities across Devonport, the UK’s largest naval base. He also met with teams supporting the wider Naval Base, which specialises in deep maintenance and refits for nuclear-powered submarines.
In December 2025, the First Sea Lord warned that allied advantages in the Atlantic were under threat because of insufficient submarine numbers. That same year, the Royal Navy’s five Astute-class submarines managed only around 300 operational days at sea combined. Babcock’s work includes ensuring these vessels remain mission-ready, both now and in the future. The company’s approach focuses on lifetime engineering, linking land-based infrastructure with submarine maintenance. Recent efforts include a £750 million contract to upgrade Devonport’s facilities, such as a new dock and modern support buildings. Additionally, Babcock secured a six-month bridging agreement with the Ministry of Defence to continue supporting the naval base and submarine fleet after the previous contract expired.
Babcock’s projects range from routine maintenance to major infrastructure investments. The upgrades at Devonport aim to improve submarine availability and operational capacity. With ongoing challenges in fleet readiness, the company’s role remains critical for the Royal Navy’s long-term capabilities.
