UK Ministry of Defence, Trafalgar-class submarines will continue to be based at Devonport for the remainder of their operational lives as a result of a comprehensive and detailed study published by the Navy Board today, 24 March 06.
The conclusion of the study, under current assumptions, provides greater certainty for Royal Navy submariners and their families with respect to future submarine bases. This will give them more confidence to plan for the medium term.
As previously announced, the Astute Class submarines will join the Vanguard class in Faslane, Scotland, which will eventually become the sole UK operating base for submarines.
Minister for the Armed Forces Mr Adam Ingram said:
“This decision confirms our investment in the Faslane area to operate the new generation of nuclear submarines. This investment consists of new berthing arrangements, training facilities and significant upgrades to the base facilities all worth hundreds of millions of pounds to the local area.
“Whilst support arrangements have yet to be fully developed, the Astute class will require highly skilled personnel, both military and civilian, to maintain these impressive submarines for at least the next 25 years.”
Many factors were considered in the study by the Navy Board. But the most important were the implications for people. It was quite clear that the greater stability provided, in the long term, by operating all our submarines from the Clyde significantly outweighs the advantages of individual choice provided by retaining two operating bases.
The decision is in line with the Navy Board
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