Cold War-era nuclear sub gets dismantled

By Dean Murray

Amazing scenes show a hero British nuclear-powered submarine being dismantled.

HMS Swiftsure became famous during the Cold War for sneaking underneath a Soviet aircraft carrier to snap photographs.

During the 1977 mission, Swiftsure penetrated a large-scale Soviet Northern Fleet exercise in the Barents Sea, evading multiple layers of escorts to approach and hide directly beneath the Kiev for several hours.

With works underway at defense company Babcock’s facilities at Rosyth in Scotland, it is the first British nuclear-powered submarine to be fully dismantled and decommissioned.

Swiftsure was the lead ship of its class of nuclear fleet submarines built for the Royal Navy. Entering service in 1973, Swiftsure served until 1992.

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The UK Ministry of Defense's (MOD) Defense Nuclear Enterprise's (DNE) Submarine Dismantling Project says they have achieved a major milestone after completing the fin cut and removal on the submarine.

An estimated 90% of Swiftsure’s total weight will be recycled, with some of the high-quality steel repurposed into components for future Royal Navy submarines.

The MOD said: "Lessons from Swiftsure will develop the blueprint for the recycling of the remaining decommissioned Pressurised Water Reactor 1 submarines, with high-quality steel already recovered from decommissioned submarines being repurposed into components for future submarines."

According to the military website Navy Lookout, there are seven decommissioned nuclear-powered subs in Rosyth, including Swiftsure, and 16 at Devonport in Plymouth.

Sir Chris Gardner KBE, CEO of the Submarine Delivery Agency, said: "To see the fin of Swiftsure removed is a significant marker of progress in the Defense Nuclear Enterprise’s Submarine Dismantling Project.

"Our colleagues continue to work tirelessly alongside our industry partners in Rosyth to deliver a proven dismantling method using this demonstrator vessel. My thanks go to everyone involved in this groundbreaking work."

Lorraine Russell, Senior Responsible Owner for the Submarine Disposals Program, said: "The Project showcases our commitment to sustainable disposal practices. By recycling materials wherever possible, we’re ensuring these vessels that served the nation so well continue to provide value even after decommissioning."