Upgrade of nuclear submarine to secure 2,000 jobs over three years

A £350 million contract to upgrade one of the Royal Navy’s nuclear missile submarines, safeguarding up to 2,000 jobs over the next three years, will be announced by the Defence Secretary today.

Philip Hammond will unveil the deal with defence firm Babcock to refit and refuel HMS Vengeance during a visit to Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth, where the work will be done.

The MoD said the work on the Vanguard Class submarine would secure more than 1,000 jobs at Babcock, a further 300 at other firms in Plymouth and another 700 jobs in the industrial supply chain across the UK.

Mr Hammond will tell a press conference: “As well as securing 2,000 UK jobs, this contract will ensure the nuclear deterrent submarine fleet can continue to operate safely and effectively to maintain a continuous at sea deterrent.”