Submarines
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Submarine Dismantling Project, what is the nature of the unforeseen challenges associated with the project.
Answered by Ministry of Defence
The matters identified in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) Major Projects Annual Report relate to the complexities inherent in delivering a first-of-class submarine recycling project including the technical, planning, regulatory and commercial challenges.
The Department continues to work constructively with its prime supplier and wider delivery partners to address these issues, improve programme planning and controls, strengthen delivery assurance and explore Fingleton Nuclear Regulatory Review opportunities where possible.
Progress continues to be made, and the Department remains committed to dismantling Swiftsure by the end of 2026 safely, effectively and in accordance with regulatory requirements.
The increase in the project’s Whole Life Cost is primarily due to the maturation of infrastructure (alongside other costs), while the end date extended to October 2028 represents the formal closure of the project and is separate from the milestone to complete the recycling of Swiftsure by 2026.
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