Babcock receives contract to provide submarine escape training to UK Navy

Babcock has received a contract to provide submarine escape, rescue, abandonment and survival training (SMERAS) to the UK Royal Navy.

The initial five-year contract includes an option to extend the award for five more years.

The submarine escape training will be conducted as part of the ongoing Astute-class submarine training at HMNB Clyde naval establishment.

Babcock Clyde managing director Simon Foster said: “This is an exciting development for Babcock and further underlines our commitment to work collaboratively with the Royal Navy to develop the solutions it needs to address the kind of operational challenges that modern navies face.

“We have some of the most effective training solutions on the market and take great pride in our ability to providing a bespoke service, not just an out-of-the-box product.”

The training is slated to start in 2018 after preparatory work is completed on the naval base, which includes construction of class-specific high fidelity escape towers and escape compartments.

Additionally, a standalone instructor-led live environment pool will be included as part of the training centre and will be capable of simulating the environmental conditions in which SMERAS will be carried out.

The new facilities will enable conducting the Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) compliant courses ashore for the Royal navy for the first time.

Other features of the training centre include new office facilities, workshops, changing areas and dry classrooms to promote trainees interaction with new media, which will cover areas of escape, rescue, abandonment and survival training.

The dry and wet learning opportunities are expected to facilitate real-world experiences without the need of pressurised environments.

Babcock, in collaboration with fellow ACTS syndicate members, has already established shore-based training for submariners at the Clyde Naval Base.