In a move that signals the UK’s commitment to a
continuous-at-sea deterrent, the Submarine Delivery Agency
(SDA) was today officially launched.
The announcement comes after an extra £800 million was
secured by the Ministry of Defence - £600 million of which
will ensure the UK is protected by the new Dreadnought
submarine fleet into the 2030s and beyond.
Defence Secretary said:
Our nuclear deterrent is our ultimate defence from the
most extreme threats while our attack submarines are
busier than ever providing unprecedented levels of
protection across the world.
A Royal Navy submarine is on patrol 24 hours a day, every
day of the year, protecting our way of life. These
advanced and complex vessels are more important than ever
as the world becomes an increasingly dangerous place and
establishing this new Agency sends a clear signal of our
commitment to continue deterring conflict and protecting
the nation.
The stand-up of the SDA marks the delivery of a milestone
set out in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review
that strengthens arrangements to support the UK’s submarine
capability.
The Executive Agency will lead on the procurement,
in-service support and decommissioning of all UK nuclear
submarines.
The SDA will procure and project manage the construction of
future Royal Navy submarines, and support those in-service,
working with Navy Command and the newly established Defence
Nuclear Organisation.
The vision of the SDA is to lead a high-performing
industrial enterprise to deliver and support the UK’s
submarine capability safely, securely and more effectively
and cost efficiently.
Headed by Chief Executive Officer Ian Booth - who has a
wealth of experience in delivering complex private and
public sector procurement programmes - the SDA employs
around 1,300 people and already has a talented and
extremely knowledgeable workforce, including some of the
nation’s most experienced nuclear experts.
The Agency will have the authority and freedom to recruit
and retain the best people to manage the Submarine
Enterprise. The majority of SDA staff will be based in
Bristol, with other colleagues located at sites such as
Barrow, Derby, Devonport, Rosyth and Faslane.
Chief Executive Officer of the Submarine Delivery Agency,
Ian Booth said:
The SDA is to lead a high-performing industrial
enterprise that is committed to strengthening the safety,
availability, reliability and security of UK submarines,
including our Continuous At Sea Deterrent. The Agency
will draw on best practice from both the public and
private sectors with a focus on cost effective and timely
delivery to achieve the best possible outcomes for
Defence.
The SDA has learnt from other successful programmes of a
similar scale and complexity such as the 2012 Olympics and
Crossrail. It will maintain vital links with industry and
public sector partners to preserve the UK’s technology
advantage and skills-base and to ensure submarine
manufacturing and maintenance capability is sufficient to
support the UK’s submarine requirements.
A key facet of the SDA is to manage the Dreadnought and
Astute nuclear submarine programmes to time and budget,
alongside providing day-to-day support to the in-service
fleet of Trafalgar, Astute and Vanguard Class submarines.
As a responsible nuclear operator, the organisation will
also manage the decommissioning and disposal of submarines
in a safe and environmentally sound way.
