Britain's nuclear submarine graveyard must be resolved, minister says
A defence minister has admitted the backlog for dismantling and recycling more than 20 of the UK's decommissioned submarines is a "challenge".
Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle told MPs the issue is "long-standing" and must be resolved.
"Whilst honourable members should be in no doubt our submarine capabilities are the envy of the world, the vast majority of countries in the world, the disposal backlog is one of the challenges."
But, the MP for Liverpool Garston says the government is working on tackling the issue.
"As a government, we are committed to defuelling, dismantling and disposal of these submarines, and to meeting our responsibilities at every stage of the life cycle of our fleet.
"Defuelling and disposal are complex tasks and ministers, our submarine delivery agency, and our entire defence nuclear enterprise take their responsibilities extremely seriously."
The minister confirmed that the work on HMS Swiftsure, which will be the first UK nuclear-powered submarine to be fully dismantled, is on track to finish by the end of 2026.
Graeme Downie is the MP for Dunfermline and Dollar who brought the debate, as the vessel is being dismantled in his constituency at Rosyth.
He said: "This kind of work is not being done anywhere else in the world, and currently employs over 200 people in my constituency."
He said all 23 retired submarines are currently being stored between Rosyth and Devonport and could be recycled in a similar way to HMS Swiftsure.
He was keen to learn when a decision will be made on plans to continue the submarine dismantling programme, and what that might mean for jobs in his constituency.
The vessel has been docked in Rosyth since July last year and Maria Eagle told MPs the submarine's breaking up will serve as a blueprint for the rest of the decommissioned boats:
"We are currently learning lessons from the dismantling of Swiftshore," she said.
"Once that is completed at the end of next year, it will pave the way for future dismantling.
"We’ll be able to look to accelerate the programme in Rosyth, learning the lessons that we will have learned and that’s going to sustain high skilled jobs."
The hunter-killer submarine Swiftsure was withdrawn from service in 1992 and last year more than 40 veterans were invited for one last look.
Some described her as "a time capsule" – almost all of her 19-year career played out at the height of the Cold War.
One of her few publicised highlights was the Kiev Recordings where she captured the sound signature of the flagship of the Soviet's Red Fleet, with her periscope just 10ft below the aircraft carrier's keel.
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