SUBMARINES built in Barrow will be able to go through maintenance work faster and redeploy more quickly following major upgrade works at a key naval base facility.

The biggest submarine dry dock in the Navy's Devonport base in Plymouth, known as 9 Dock, has reopened following a major refurbishment project worth £200 million completed under a contract with Babcock International Group. 

At an opening ceremony, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle said 9 Dock and Devonport were pivotal to the government’s triple-lock nuclear guarantee to deliver the next generation Continuous-At-Sea Nuclear Deterrent.  

(Image: MoD)

Four Dreadnought submarines are being built in Barrow to form the UK's Trident nuclear arsenal at sea, replacing the ageing Vanguard class.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle MP said:  "The Vanguard fleet is at the heart of deterring our adversaries and keeping the UK safe.

"This government is committed to a ‘triple-lock’ on our nuclear and to bolstering national security through crucial refurbishments such as this one.  

"I am honoured to open 9 Dock today, and to have the opportunity to speak with personnel and staff on their vital contribution to our nation’s security."

The upgrades made to the dock have been undertaken to maintain and upgrade the support services, buildings, security arrangements and the equipment in the dock, such as the installation of the Alternative Mechanical Handling package that will help reduce the maintenance durations by driving up productivity. 

Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: "Supporting the Continuous at Sea Deterrent is the most important thing we do.

"The huge investment and increase in digital technology in this submarine facility ensures the UK has a sovereign, fit-for-purpose, deep maintenance capability now and in the future."  

The Government said the major refurbishment to 9 Dock allows the continuation of the upkeep of ballistic missile submarines, officially known as Deep Maintenance Period (DMP), for Vanguard Class submarines. 

The Vanguard Class undergo cycles of planned Deep Maintenance Periods throughout their lifetime to ensure they remain fitted with the latest technology and systems.

The minister also used her visit to reinforce the new government's commitment to its ‘triple-lock’ on the deterrent, which includes building four new nuclear submarines in Barrow, maintaining the continuous at sea nuclear deterrent, and delivering all future upgrades needed.