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HMS Swiftsure, active during the Cold War, is one of a series of vessels built in the town which are now being recycled to use in the next generation of submarines.
The ‘Kiev recordings’ – capturing the sound signature of the flagship of the Red Fleet with the submarine’s periscope just 10ft below the aircraft carrier’s keel – is one of the few publicised highlights of Swiftsure’s 19-year career, almost all of it played out at the height of the Cold War.
She is one of more than 20 decommissioned nuclear boats awaiting recycling either in Rosyth in Scotland or Devonport, Plymouth, under the complex Submarine Dismantling Project.
Swiftsure has been docked down in Rosyth since July last year in preparation for her dismantling.
Her breaking up will serve as a blueprint for dismantling the rest of the decommissioned boats.
More than 40 former crew members were invited on board the submarine before the cutters moved in for the last stages of dismantling work to begin.
With the reactor removed alongside sections of the boat containing low-level radioactive waste dealt with, the final stage of dismantling and recycling can begin.
Rear Admiral JJ Bailey, director of submarine support for the Royal Navy, said: “More than 90 per cent will be recycled and the project paves the way for the recycling of other laid up submarines.
“The lessons learned from Swiftsure will be applied to the remaining laid-up fleet, ensuring all future boats are safely and efficiently recycled with cost savings where possible applied.”
Some of the material – mostly metal – will be used on next-generation submarines such as the Dreadnought class currently under construction in Barrow and the future AUKUS boats. The rest will undergo conventional recycling.
Dismantling Swiftsure is due to be completed by the end of 2026.
Astute, Dreadnought and AUKUS class programmes are being worked on in Barrow’s shipyard.
The sixth Astute attack submarine was launched from Devonshire Dock Hall by BAE Systems earlier this month.
