In March 2014 the MoD admitted there was a minor concern about the integrity of the nuclear reactors which power Vanguard class submarines. As a precaution, HMS Vanguard currently in refit at Devonport has been given a second new reactor core. This week the government quietly announced that technical assessments have now concluded this procedure will not be| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
The MoD has awarded Babcock a £114M contract to prepare for the first nuclear defueling of a decommissioned Royal Navy Trafalgar Class submarine in over 20 years. The contract covers work to remove the fuel from four boats, most likely ex-HMS Trafalgar, Turbulent, Tireless and Torbay - the oldest T-boats in storage at Devonport. It| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
HMS Vanguard, one of the four Trident submarines that maintain the UK's nuclear deterrent, left Devonport yesterday after a very much delayed Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP(R)). When Vanguard arrived in December 2015 for her second (LOP(R)) it was expected to take a maximum of 4 years and cost £200 million. Her three younger| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
HMS Victorious arrived in Devonport to begin a multi-year Deep Maintenance Period (DMP) in May 2023. Here we provide a some background and detail about the project. Second of the Vanguard class, HMS Victorious was launched in 1993 and has already exceeded her originally intended 25-year design life by 3 years. The DMP is intended| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
