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Supporting submarine maintenance infrastructure at Devonport Royal Dockyard
AtkinsRéalis has been providing engineering support to international defence, aerospace and security company, Babcock International, in its work at Devonport Royal Dockyard, Plymouth.
Under the watchful gaze of an iconic red and white lighthouse at Plymouth Hoe, the UK’s silent and unseen defenders resurface after months of hidden service.
It is here, at Devonport Royal Dockyard, where the Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines are maintained, refuelled and overhauled. The facility, the largest naval base in Western Europe, has berths and dry docks for submarines, which are critical to their effective maintenance. Devonport contains a nuclear-licensed site, owned and operated by Babcock, which is delivering a series of major upgrades to the dockyard’s critical infrastructure so it can maintain the Astute Class fleet, continue to support the Vanguard Class fleet, and defuel decommissioned submarines.
AtkinsRéalis has been supporting Babcock on this key defence site since 2010, providing engineering design, nuclear safety and project management services. More than 800 AtkinsRéalis experts worked on various major dock and facility upgrades during 2024. This has included approximately 100 early careers apprentices and graduates, developing the next generation of skills to support the submarine enterprise into the future.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
AtkinsRéalis has provided a range of engineering skills – including nuclear safety, civil, structural, mechanical handling, nuclear process, electrical, mechanical services, and human factors – as well as support across project and programme management, radiological protection and waste management, cyber security, and environmental management. We have used the breadth of our experience and expertise across other defence nuclear programmes to share best practice, enabling multidisciplinary coordination across a highly regulated and complex environment.
Examples of our work include seismic strengthening design for both a new flood wall at 15 Dock and concrete reinforcements to lift shafts at 14 Dock. At 10 Dock, we supported Babcock to define requirements for new cranes and lead the nuclear safety case for the refurbished facility. Additionally, we are supporting the design review at 5 Basin Berth East Wall and are revalidating submarine maintenance equipment in 9 Dock.
Our teams are playing a part in ensuring the reliability, availability and continued safe and secure operation of the submarine enterprise. Positive and cooperative collaboration with the supply chain has been critical to the delivery of our work at Devonport. We offer the critical capabilities needed to enable submarine platform and infrastructure success; and as a trusted supplier, we support resilience – across infrastructure, cyber security, the supply chain and equipment.
AtkinsRéalis has provided a range of engineering skills – including nuclear safety, civil, structural, mechanical handling, nuclear process, electrical, mechanical services, and human factors – as well as support across project and programme management, radiological protection and waste management, cyber security, and environmental management. We have used the breadth of our experience and expertise across other defence nuclear programmes to share best practice, enabling multidisciplinary coordination across a highly regulated and complex environment.
Examples of our work include seismic strengthening design for both a new flood wall at 15 Dock and concrete reinforcements to lift shafts at 14 Dock. At 10 Dock, we supported Babcock to define requirements for new cranes and lead the nuclear safety case for the refurbished facility. Additionally, we are supporting the design review at 5 Basin Berth East Wall and are revalidating submarine maintenance equipment in 9 Dock.
Our teams are playing a part in ensuring the reliability, availability and continued safe and secure operation of the submarine enterprise. Positive and cooperative collaboration with the supply chain has been critical to the delivery of our work at Devonport. We offer the critical capabilities needed to enable submarine platform and infrastructure success; and as a trusted supplier, we support resilience – across infrastructure, cyber security, the supply chain and equipment.
Operational readiness
In February 2025, Babcock marked the critical milestone of successfully docking an Astute Class submarine for the first time in 15 Dock, allowing it to undergo maintenance before returning to active duty. This achievement reflects how key suppliers like AtkinsRéalis contribute to the work Babcock deliver to the UK’s Royal Navy that allow these steel leviathans to continue to play their role in protecting the UK’s national security.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
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Markets
Defence
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Location
Plymouth, UK
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Client
Babcock International
James Domone
Client Manager, Aerospace, Defence, Sec & Tech (ADST Practices), Bristol, United Kingdom contact form+44 1454 66 3056
