About us
The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Who we are
The SDA is an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Established in April 2018, we manage the procurement, in-service support and disposal of UK nuclear submarines, which are some of the most complex equipment in the world.
We deliver capabilities to the Royal Navy that are essential to the Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD) - the cornerstone of our national security. To deliver our mission we work with a range of bodies and industry partners.
What we do
In supporting the MOD to meet its overall purpose, the SDA has key areas of delivery. These are set out in our purpose which is to:
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maintain CASD by safely delivering available, capable and reliable in-service submarines and systems
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lead the design and construction of all new UK submarines and, working with our customers and suppliers, bring them into service as effectively and efficiently as possible
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manage the delivery of the nuclear infrastructure needed to support the submarine fleet including maintenance operations and new construction
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safely dispose of submarines that are no longer in service
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ensure that we retain and develop the submarine technology base so that it meets our future requirements and retains our capability advantage
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support and fulfil our roles in international
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develop a sustainable industrial base for the Submarine Enterprise that is able to support all requirements efficiently, sustainably, safely and securely. We will deliver value for money across all our programmes through achieving an optimal balance of safety, time, quality and cost
Our mission
To deliver available and capable submarines for the Royal Navy in defence of the nation.
Our vision
To be recognised for excellence in through-life submarine delivery.
Our locations
Bristol, Abbey Wood
Abbey Wood is a purpose-built MOD site in Bristol which we share with our colleagues in Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). While our people work at sites across the UK, about three-quarters of our people are based in Bristol.
Barrow-in-Furness, BAE Systems
Barrow-in-Furness has an illustrious history of shipbuilding and submarine building. The first submarine for the Royal Navy, Holland 1, was built in Barrow-in-Furness and launched in 1901, and every submarine currently in service has been built there. Barrow shipyard is the only facility in the UK with the infrastructure, site licence and resources to design and build the UK’s nuclear submarines.
SDA teams are embedded with BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, including as part of the Dreadnought Alliance, which brings SDA, BAE Systems and Rolls Royce people together to drive the delivery of the Dreadnought Class.
HMNB Clyde
His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde is the Royal Navy’s main presence in Scotland and the base port for the ships and submarines of the Faslane Flotilla. It is comprised of two sites, Faslane and Coulport, and employs more than 6,000 people.
It is home to the core of the Submarine Service including the Royal Navy’s Vanguard Class submarines which deliver the Continuous at Sea Deterrent. It is where routine submarine maintenance and dockings take place. SDA teams support the Royal Navy’s fleet of in-service submarines.
Derby, Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd
The Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd Derby site at Raynesway has long been associated with the Royal Navy. Rolls-Royce design, supply and support the nuclear reactor plants that provide power for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines. Raynesway currently employs more than 4,000 people.
SDA teams based at Raynesway provide assurance of the Rolls-Royce Submarine Ltd engineering output, supply chain cohesion with key suppliers, and the safe delivery of products.
HMNB Devonport
Babcock manages His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Devonport. It is co-located with Devonport Royal Dockyard, owned by Babcock since 2007, and together forms the largest naval base in Western Europe. The naval base employs close to 12,000 people and is where our in-service submarines are maintained, modernised and refitted.
Key activities undertaken here include the maintenance and support of in-service submarines and the safe and secure storage and disposal of decommissioned submarines.
Rosyth Dockyard
Owned by Babcock, Rosyth is home to one of the largest waterside manufacturing and repair facilities in the UK with easy access to the North Sea. Between 1909 and 1997 it operated as a naval base to support the UK’s maritime defence. Significant site investment has been made in recent years to support naval and commercial business streams, including the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers and Type 31 Frigates.
The Submarine Dismantling Project is based in Rosyth. It includes colleagues from Babcock and the SDA’s Submarine Disposals and Devonport Infrastructure (SDDI) team. The team’s primary role is the dismantling of decommissioned nuclear submarines.
Vulcan
The Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE) is a MOD establishment constructed in the late 1950s on a former wartime airfield.
Its purpose was to conduct reactor core prototyping activity in support of in-service nuclear submarines and the development of new reactor core designs. This was completed in 2015. The Vulcan site continues operations in support of the Royal Navy’s Submarine Fleet.
United States
The SDA has teams at several locations in the United States of America, predominantly on the East Coast. These teams support our relationship with the USA through the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement and the Polaris Sales Agreement.