The UK has started the process of utilization of the nuclear submarine HMS Swiftsure
Who, at the height of the Cold War, spent several hours under the Russian aircraft carrier Kyiv and collected valuable data
Three decades after its decommissioning, the UK has moved forward with the process of disposing of the nuclear submarine HMS Swiftsure. The submarine retired in 1992.
The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) and Babcock are engaged in the utilization of the submarine. HMS Swiftsure has been docked in Rosyth, Scotland, for 30 years. It is here that the nuclear engine will be dismantled and disposed of.
The SDA and @Babcockplc have reached a disposals milestone as Swiftsure was dry-docked in Rosyth to begin preparations for final dismantling.
Swiftsure is being used as a demonstrator and will be the first UK nuclear-powered submarine to be fully dismantled by the end of 2026. [1/2] pic.twitter.com/GbmSPDWOJL
– Submarine Delivery Agency (@SDA_mod) August 9, 2023
It is important to note one nuance in this story. The UK will test a new recycling technology on the example of HMS Swiftsure, where 90% of components will be recycled or reused.
HMS Swiftsure is scheduled to be fully scrapped in 2026. After that, the specialists will start getting rid of the second submarine. In total, the UK has more than 20 nuclear submarines in storage. The number increased after massive write-offs at the end of the last century.
The United Kingdom launched a recycling project 19 years ago, but has made no progress since. Some of the submarines are over 60 years old. The oldest is HMS Dreadnought (62 years old). In addition, some submarines still have fuel on board. The full utilization of all submarines built between 1960 and 1990 is scheduled for 2060.
Returning to HMS Swiftsure, it should be noted that this submarine spent several hours under the Russian aircraft carrier Kyiv at the height of the Cold War. She was able to sail unnoticed past frigates and destroyers in the Barents Sea. HMS Swiftsure recorded valuable acoustic characteristics and took several photographs of the carrier’s hull.
