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Nuclear submarines: MoD criticised over submarine disposal | Nuclear submarines: MoD criticised over submarine disposal |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The Ministry of Defence has been criticised over its failure to dispose of 20 obsolete nuclear submarines. | The Ministry of Defence has been criticised over its failure to dispose of 20 obsolete nuclear submarines. |
Nine of the vessels still contain nuclear fuel, according to the government spending watchdog, the National Audit Office (NAO). | Nine of the vessels still contain nuclear fuel, according to the government spending watchdog, the National Audit Office (NAO). |
Failing to get rid of them risked the UK's reputation as a responsible nuclear power, the chairwoman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee said. | Failing to get rid of them risked the UK's reputation as a responsible nuclear power, the chairwoman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee said. |
The MoD said it would dispose of them "as soon as practically possible". | The MoD said it would dispose of them "as soon as practically possible". |
According to the NAO, the department has not dismantled any of the submarines it has decommissioned since 1980. | According to the NAO, the department has not dismantled any of the submarines it has decommissioned since 1980. |
In that time, the government has spent an estimated £500m storing the retired vessels in Rosyth, Fife, and Devonport, Devon. | In that time, the government has spent an estimated £500m storing the retired vessels in Rosyth, Fife, and Devonport, Devon. |
The estimated cost of fully disposing of a submarine is £96m, the NAO said. | The estimated cost of fully disposing of a submarine is £96m, the NAO said. |
'Spiralling costs' | 'Spiralling costs' |
Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said the MoD must "get a grip" of the "spiralling" costs to the taxpayer. | Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said the MoD must "get a grip" of the "spiralling" costs to the taxpayer. |
"For more than 20 years the MoD has been promising to dismantle its out-of-service nuclear submarines and told my committee last year that it would now address this dismal lack of progress," she said. | "For more than 20 years the MoD has been promising to dismantle its out-of-service nuclear submarines and told my committee last year that it would now address this dismal lack of progress," she said. |
"The disposal programmes have been beset by lengthy delays and spiralling costs, with taxpayers footing the bill." | "The disposal programmes have been beset by lengthy delays and spiralling costs, with taxpayers footing the bill." |
Analysis | Analysis |
By Jonathan Beale, BBC defence correspondent | By Jonathan Beale, BBC defence correspondent |
This report is a sober reminder of the expensive legacy costs of operating nuclear powered submarines, and not just building them. | This report is a sober reminder of the expensive legacy costs of operating nuclear powered submarines, and not just building them. |
The MoD currently plans to spend about £40bn on four new nuclear powered submarines - the new Dreadnought class - to carry Britain's Trident nuclear weapons. | The MoD currently plans to spend about £40bn on four new nuclear powered submarines - the new Dreadnought class - to carry Britain's Trident nuclear weapons. |
But it still hasn't safely disposed of the four Resolution class submarines that were designed in the 1960s and that once carried the old Polaris nuclear missiles. | But it still hasn't safely disposed of the four Resolution class submarines that were designed in the 1960s and that once carried the old Polaris nuclear missiles. |
The National Audit Office report is also a reminder of the added costs of delaying difficult decisions. | The National Audit Office report is also a reminder of the added costs of delaying difficult decisions. |
Since 1980 the MoD has spent £500m just to store and maintain its obsolete submarines while it works out how to safely dismantle them. | Since 1980 the MoD has spent £500m just to store and maintain its obsolete submarines while it works out how to safely dismantle them. |
The MoD's future liability for maintaining and disposing of the 20 decommissioned submarines, along with the 10 now in service submarines is £7.5bn. | The MoD's future liability for maintaining and disposing of the 20 decommissioned submarines, along with the 10 now in service submarines is £7.5bn. |
And that is likely to rise, only adding to the pressures on a department that's already struggling to live within its means. | And that is likely to rise, only adding to the pressures on a department that's already struggling to live within its means. |
The report is the latest in a string of warnings to the MoD over its finances, with the PAC in February calling the MoD a "repeat offender" when it came to "poor financial planning". | The report is the latest in a string of warnings to the MoD over its finances, with the PAC in February calling the MoD a "repeat offender" when it came to "poor financial planning". |
The nuclear vessels being stored include the first submarines used to carry the UK's nuclear deterrent: the HMS Revenge, HMS Renown, HMS Repulse and HMS Resolution. | The nuclear vessels being stored include the first submarines used to carry the UK's nuclear deterrent: the HMS Revenge, HMS Renown, HMS Repulse and HMS Resolution. |
Attack submarine HMS Conqueror, which sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano during the Falklands War, is also in storage. | Attack submarine HMS Conqueror, which sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano during the Falklands War, is also in storage. |
No submarines have been defueled since 2004, when regulators said waste-disposal facilities did not meet the required standard. | No submarines have been defueled since 2004, when regulators said waste-disposal facilities did not meet the required standard. |
The process is not set to begin again for another four years. | The process is not set to begin again for another four years. |
The MoD said in a statement: "The disposal of nuclear submarines is a complex and challenging undertaking. | |
"We remain committed to the safe, secure and cost-effective defueling and dismantling of all decommissioned nuclear submarines as soon as practically possible." | "We remain committed to the safe, secure and cost-effective defueling and dismantling of all decommissioned nuclear submarines as soon as practically possible." |