Submarine - Defueling and Dismantling

decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines is set to restart in 2026, as

preparations continue at specialist dock facilities in Devonport. In a

written parliamentary answer, defence minister Luke Pollard said the twelve

remaining first-generation submarines powered by pressurised water reactors

would be handled through a tightly regulated process overseen by the Office

for Nuclear Regulation. He said the submarines would dock in “a

specialised, licensed dock in Devonport”, where “the used fuel will be

removed, loaded into a qualified transport container and transported to

Sellafield prior to long-term storage in the Geological Disposal

Facility.” Pollard confirmed that dismantling of each vessel would only
take place once defuelling is complete, adding that “work is underway to
prepare the dock facilities and associated resources in line with plans to
recommence defueling in 2026.” The update also set out progress on the
UK’s first full submarine dismantling programme. HMS Swiftsure, the
demonstrator vessel for the Submarine Dismantling Project, began
dismantling at Rosyth in 2023. According to Pollard, the project “will
refine the disposal process and is on track to be dismantled by the end of
2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in
2019.”

UK Defence Journal 23rd Dec 2025

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-to-restart-nuclear-submarine-defuelling-in-2026/