Naval Bases

The principal way in which Naval Base management services are delivered is through the two Warship Modernisation Initiative (WSMI) contracts at Faslane and Devonport.

The provision of waterfront engineering support to base-ported ships and submarines at the two Naval Bases is covered in the “Submarines” and “Warships” pages on this site.

Since the contracts began operation savings delivered at the Clyde operations have totalled £100m and at Devonport the savings so far equate to over £150m.

Both contracts rely on the use of seconded civil service and Royal Navy staff, working under Babcock management control, for their execution.

Naval Base Management
This involves the maintenance and management of complex building and utility distribution infrastructure, both nuclear-implicated and non-nuclear. A wide range of other activities is also carried out, including the supply of power and other utility services, management of radioactive waste streams and other support roles such as round the clock berthing services.

Logistics Management
The Clyde logistics operation involves warehousing and transport operations at both Faslane and Coulport covering tasks related to storage, handling and distribution of a wide range of goods and materials from fasteners to major items of equipment.

In addition to carrying out this role at Devonport, Babcock also manages from this site the MoD’s South West hub, involving all defence material movements from the new Devonport distribution facility that was constructed during the first five year WSMI contract period.

Delivery of a high degree of inventory visibility, accurate material accounting and prompt, cost-effective service are fundamental to the success of these contracts.

Other services
Strategic Weapons Support. All Clyde base-ported submarines and some visiting submarines are supported from the Clyde Explosive Handling Jetty, where platform maintenance and missile and weapon activities are conducted. This involves specialised tasks carried out by the Fleet Maintenance and Calibration Divisions on both the submarine themselves and the strategic weapon systems.

A full range of other maintenance activities is carried out within Coulport itself, including those associated with the vehicles, erection bridges, loading tubes, hoisting equipment and transporters that support missile and weapon storage and movements. Maintenance work also extends to the transportation containers used for deterrent components.

Submarine Rescue System Support. On the Clyde, Babcock is also one of the two companies that support Rolls Royce in the provision of engineering support, operation and maintenance of the new NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS). The system is based at Faslane and is required to be maintained available for worldwide deployment anywhere at 72 hours notice.