£166 MILLION ACCOMMODATION PROJECT TAKES FINAL STEP AT FASLANE BASE

HMS AUDACIOUS ARRIVES AT CLYDE HOME HMS Audacious, the fourth of the Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarines, has arrived at her new home at HM Naval Base Clyde. The new submarine and her 98-strong crew arrived at the Naval Base in Argyll and Bute today (April 7), flying the White Ensign after sailing from BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. Welcoming the vessel to her new home were members of the Submarine Flotilla – SUBFLOT – based at Clyde. “It is with great excitement that we welcome HMS Audacious to the Clyde, joining her three sister submarines,” said Commodore Jim Perks OBE, Head of the Submarine Service. “HMS Audacious represents an ever improving example of the world-leading Astute class submarine. She is right at the cutting-edge of technology, built here in the UK by our own people. She will provide the country with remarkable security at sea to protect our nation’s interests.” HMS Audacious will join sister-submarines HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful which are already in-service and operating from Faslane. A further three boats – named Anson, Agamemnon and Agincourt – are currently under construction at BAE in Barrow. The Astute-class vessels are among the most sophisticated submarines ever constructed for the RoyalNavy.

Aerial images of Faslane Photex of Faslane and Coulport installations. LA Phot Pepe Hogan

HMS Victorious, one of the Royal Navy’s four strategic missile submarines, departs her home port at HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane in Scotland today (13 January 2005) for her major refit which will take place at Devonport, Plymouth. Victorious and her sister submarines provide the UK’s national deterrent and can carry up to 16 Trident nuclear missiles.

by Democrat reporter

THE CONSTRUCTION of new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) at HM Naval Base Clyde took an exciting step toward completion recently when the last parapet and prefabricated concrete panel were slotted into place.

The panels, which range from ten to eighteen tonnes and span three to five metres wide, have been used in the construction of four new accommodation blocks, with two of the new blocks specifically designed for submariner trainees.

The £166M construction project, delivered for the Royal Navy by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and their industry partner, Kier Graham Defence (KGD), forms part of the ongoing work under the Clyde Infrastructure Programme to prepare the Naval Base for the future. The programme oversees the transformation of the site to operate and maintain the next generation of Dreadnought-class deterrent submarines, while supporting all those who live, work, and train there.

There to see the final panel and parapet put in place on the fourth block was Captain of HMS Neptune, Captain Elaine Boyd, along with Base Executive Officer, Commander Nick Stewart, and First Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander Phil Nicholson (SEE PICTURE TOP OF PAGE).

Captain Boyd said: “Reaching this stage of construction is a significant step in delivering modern accommodation at HM Naval Base Clyde. The new blocks will provide high-quality living spaces for Service personnel, including the submariner trainees who represent the future of the Submarine Service.

“As the home of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet, these facilities will support the wellbeing of our people and the continued development of the Naval Base.”

The use of prefabricated concrete panels delivers a “traditional style” of construction while allowing for easy and fast installation. The use of the panels helps minimise the workforce required on site, reduces cost and material waste, and helps towards sustainability goals.

The Royal Navy, working in conjunction with DIO and their industry supplier, KGD, have planned for the construction of the first two submariner trainee blocks to conclude and be brought online later this year. The last two SLA blocks will be open in early 2027.

DIO’s Director Nuclear Infrastructure, Dan Ross, said: “Working with our supply chain we have demonstrated what can be achieved at pace, without compromising on quality, to provide our submariner trainees with the modern, safe accommodation they deserve. The use of prefabricated sections helps us deliver the new accommodation more quickly so our sailors can benefit from it as soon as possible.”

As home of the Royal Navy Submarine Service, HM Naval Base Clyde plays a crucial role supporting the nation’s first and final line of defence – the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

For over 50 years, the site has operated and maintained the deterrent fleet – first with the Resolution-class submarines and then with the current Vanguard-class vessels. During that time, there has always been at least one nuclear-armed deterrent submarine at sea on patrol, offering the ultimate guarantee of our safety and security and of our NATO Allies.