Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future

Infrastructure and Construction

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £2.2bn
Published schedule: 31/12/2016 – 21/05/2031
NISTA delivery confidence: RED
Senior responsible owner: Robert Tantam

What the project is for

The Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future project is investing £2Bn+ in infrastructure at Devonport to support the maintenance of the Royal Navy’s Astute Class nuclear-powered submarines. The facilities being provided include a new non-tidal maintenance berth, a repurposed dry dock, and associated buildings and services.

Departmental delivery commentary

Compared to financial year 24/25 Q4, the NISTA/SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating at 25/26 Q4 remained at Red. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. Despite positive progress, there are still many challenges in the delivery environment which will prevent completion within the approved time and cost envelope. 2. The main focus across the projects continues to be design completion, recent interventions have been targeted at pace of design decision making and proportionate approvals. 3. Whilst DCA remains Red there are early positive signs of the interventions, and the leadership are focussed on embedding these targeted interventions into normal business. 4. Significant levels of risk/uncertainty in the programme remain with a reset underway.

Schedule

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the programme's end-date at 25/26-Q4 remains undetermined. The programme will be reset during FY26.

Cost

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Whole Life Cost at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) decreased from £2190.70M to £2066.20M. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. The programme is managing its Whole Life Costs in conjunction with the MOD's Strategic Planning Cycle. 2. The estimated Whole Life Costs adjustment down is now taking into account a revised financial profile driven by a reduced funding provision in the early years of the Annual Budgetary Cycle. 3. The programme required a substantial reset. This will see increased confidence in the cost estimates and forecasts.

Benefits

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Benefits at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) remained at 0. This is primarily due to the following factors. No monetised benefits.