52-669: His Majesty's Naval Base, Clyde ( HMNB Clyde ; also HMS Neptune ), primarily sited at Faslane on the Gare Loch , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy (the others being HMNB Devonport and HMNB Portsmouth ). It is the navy's headquarters in Scotland and is best known as the home of Britain's nuclear weapons , in the form of nuclear submarines armed with Trident missiles . Faslane
104-636: A station on the West Highland Line . The Gare Loch offers good conditions for sightseeing , sailing and sea angling . The Greek sugar boat Captayannis was heading for the sheltered waters of the Loch but now lies wrecked in the Clyde. The base was used by the Royal Navy dating back to the First World War . On 29 January 1917 the steam-powered submarine HMS K13 sank in
156-650: A cash consideration of £18.2 million plus deferred consideration of £4.4 million. In April 2014, Babcock Dounreay Partnership (BDP), a consortium of Babcock International Group PLC (50%), CH2M Hill (30%) and URS (20%) was selected as preferred bidder and eventually awarded a £1.6bn contract by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority for the management and decommissioning of the Dounreay nuclear site in Scotland. In November 2014, Babcock
208-756: A combined defence and support services group that annually accrued sales of £3bn and had more than 25,000 employees, which were mainly based in Britain and the United States. As a result of the merger, Babcock took over the contract to operate the Defence High Frequency Communications Service on behalf of the Ministry of Defence; this contract was originally awarded to VT Merlin Communications in 2003, for
260-635: A downturn in government orders and issues with its aviation division, necessitating a £85m writedown on leases for its North Sea helicopter fleet. During February 2020, it was reported that the company was considering exiting the off-shore helicopter sector amid intense competition; Babcock had already reduced its Sikorsky S-92 and Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma fleets from 15 to seven helicopters and 13 to one helicopters respectively. The firm's decision to downsize its S-92 inventory caused manufacturer Sikorsky to sue Babcock over its refusal to accept delivery of units ordered in 2011. In April 2021, as part of
312-462: A major part of the economy of Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire . In 2018, the Secretary of State for Scotland at the time, David Mundell said: "The UK’s entire submarine fleet will be based at Faslane by 2020. This will reinforce Scotland’s vital role in protecting our country, and guarantee skilled, secure jobs on the Clyde for years to come." Exercise Evening Star is the annual test of
364-586: A number of naval operations, mostly associated with the current nuclear Trident defence system and also to be the base of the Royal Navy's Astute -class submarines . Given the siting of the nuclear missile programme on the Loch, pressure groups such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Trident Ploughshares have maintained a permanent peace camp outside the gates of the naval facility since 1982. The Royal Marines ' Garelochhead training camp
416-567: A period of 15 years. During March 2014, it was announced that Babcock had agreed to wholly acquire Avincis Group, including its subsidiary Bond Aviation Group , in exchange for £1.6 billion. The former Avincis units was subsequently rebranded under the Babcock name in January 2015. In July 2013, Babcock's Support Services division acquired Conbras Serviços Técnicos de Suporte LTDA in Brazil for
468-876: A takeover was then completed. On 22 April 2008, to further strengthen the brand in the nuclear sector and submarine support sector, Babcock acquired Strachan & Henshaw from the Weir Group for £65m; at the time of the transaction, the company had over 50 years of experience in high integrity material handling. In September 2009, Babcock acquired the UK Atomic Energy Authority 's commercial arm, UKAEA Ltd; this acquisition extended Babcock's existing nuclear skills, bringing additional expertise in waste categorisation, decommissioning of high hazard facilities, encapsulation and storage of hazardous materials and transportation of waste. The deal also provided Babcock with its first operational Tier 1 position in
520-533: A wide-ranging restructuring program, Babcock announced that it would be selling off a number of its business lines, resulting in 1,000 job losses (850 of which would be in the United Kingdom); as part of this, the firm will sell its oil and gas aviation transport arm to CHC Group . The company also confirmed the disposal of its helicopter support business in July 2022. In March 2023 Babcock International sold
572-469: A £42 million loss for the business in 1994, which was largely attributed to its energy division and repercussions from a contract at Drax Power Station , Babcock International responded by strategically avoiding overly-large contracts, unless the associated risk was being shared with other partners. Furthermore, the business decided that it would dispose of its more risky business venture altogether. Amongst other changes, Babcock International's works at Rosyth
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#1732801082587624-512: Is HMS Neptune . Naval personnel appointed to the base who do not belong to a seagoing vessel make up Ship's Company. Both the Gareloch and Loch Long are sea lochs extending northwards from the Firth of Clyde. The base serves as home base to Britain's fleet of Vanguard -class nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarines, as well as conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines , supported by
676-856: Is also an issue in Scottish politics . The Scottish National Party (SNP), the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), and the Scottish Greens all oppose the deployment of nuclear weapons although the SNP have made assurances that they would retain the base for the servicing of conventionally armed and conventionally powered naval units. Members of those parties and indeed some from the Labour Party are often present at rallies. Also, some former independents, such as George Galloway attend rallies outside Faslane. The Faslane 365 campaign
728-566: Is an open sea loch in Argyll and Bute , Scotland and bears a similar name to the village of Gairloch in the north west Highlands. The loch is well used for recreational boating , water sports and fishing . Harbour and grey seals are often seen in the Gare Loch along with pods of porpoise . Bottle Nose whales were photographed in September 2020. The loch also has been used since
780-789: The 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines . In command of HMNB Clyde is the Naval Base Commander (Clyde), Commodore Sharon Malkin. The base is home to a number of lodger units including Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland (FOSNI) (who is also Rear Admiral Submarines ), the Northern Diving Group and the Scottish Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence Police . It is base to 3,000 service personnel, 800 of their families and 4,000 civilian workers, largely from Babcock Marine , forming
832-709: The Devonport Dockyard nuclear submarine and surface vessel facilities and Appledore Shipbuilders . On 25 July 2007, the United Kingdom Government announced that the Aircraft Carrier Alliance , of which Babcock International is a part, would carry out final assembly of two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy at their Rosyth Dockyard. On 7 August 2007, acceptances for the acquisition of International Nuclear Solutions PLC reached 58.9% of issued share capital, and
884-428: The First World War and Second World War , B&W was a major supplier to Britain's defence establishment. During the 1940s, the workforce at Renfrew peaked at approximately 10,000. In the post-war era, the manufacture and support of defence equipment continued to be a long-running and key business area of the company. Throughout the 20th century, B&W was a major supplier of boilers for power stations . During
936-778: The Norwegian Sea . At the time it was chosen, the location was also close to the American SSBN base at Holy Loch , which operated 1961–1992. One boat was always on patrol at any given time. In 1971 the base was home to the 3rd Submarine Squadron of Nuclear Fleet and Diesel Patrol Submarines, "the fighters", and the 10th Submarine Squadron consisting of the four Polaris submarines, "the bombers". The following notable vessels and units are based at Faslane. Commodore J. L. Perks OBE, Commander Submarine Flotilla/(Commodore Submarine Service (COSM)) Royal Fleet Auxiliary Royal Marines ( UK Commando Force ) HMNB Clyde lies on
988-627: The Singer Manufacturing Company's Kilbowie Works at Clydebank near Glasgow. Around this time, the inventor and businessman Isaac Singer was a significant and influential shareholder in the business. During 1895, Babcock & Wilcox Ltd opened a new boilermaking works, based on the 33-acre (130,000 m ) site of the Porterfield Forge on the opposite side of the River Clyde near Renfrew . In 1900,
1040-580: The Swedish ship-to-shore handling business Consilium was also acquired. During 1994, Babcock acquired British conglomerate Thorn EMI 's 35 per cent stake in the Rosyth Dockyard , resulting in the creation of Babcock Rosyth Defence . In the same year, Babcock's material handling business, centred in Germany, was reorganised and rebranded as Babcock Materials Handling . Following the recording of
1092-460: The 1870s and 1880s, the company, having decided to expand internationally, developed an initial footprint in the British market, centring on cities such as Glasgow , Scotland. On 9 April 1891, Babcock & Wilcox chose to establish a separately financed (capitalised at £ 250,000 initially) British company, called Babcock & Wilcox Ltd . The initial board members of the British company included
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#17328010825871144-583: The 1950s, the Royal Navy used the loch to store decommissioned naval vessels. HMNB Clyde was established on the banks on the loch in 1964 as part of the United Kingdom 's preparations for hosting the Polaris submarine based nuclear programme. The site was chosen due to its deep water, suitable for submarine operations and ease of access to the North Atlantic . The site continues to operate
1196-495: The 1960s, the company became involved in the development of civil nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom. B&W also continued to diversify internationally, including into the North American market; by 1979, the company's North American subsidiary was being attributed for generating one-third of total sales (£844 million) and more than half of the business's overall profits. That same year, Babcock & Wilcox Ltd
1248-482: The UK Defence Minister, Philip Dunne, told MPs. Given the presence of these nuclear capable missiles, Faslane has attracted demonstrations by Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and other Scottish pressure groups , including Trident Ploughshares . Since 1982, a permanent peace camp is outside the base gates, where there are frequent demonstrations and regular Wednesday protests. The presence of Faslane
1300-827: The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence and Network Rail . The company has four operating sectors, with overseas operations based in Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Australia. Babcock is listed on the London Stock Exchange , and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index . Babcock International traces its history back to the 19th century and the American heavy industrial manufacturers Babcock & Wilcox Company , which had been founded in 1867 by partners Stephen Wilcox and George Babcock to manufacture and market Wilcox's patented water-tube boiler . During
1352-497: The civil nuclear market and a direct relationship with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority , complementing its existing Tier 1 position in the military nuclear market. In March 2010, Babcock acquired VT Group for £1.32bn or 750p a share; the firm offered 361.6p per share in cash, as well as 0.7 new Babcock shares for each VT Group share. The acquisition, which was completed on 8 July 2010, created
1404-427: The company secured £1.57 million of investment, which was used to finance the expansion of its global presence via numerous overseas subsidiary ventures. During 1913, B&W began its involvement with the Rosyth Dockyard after winning a bid to construct a steam generation plant on the site; this presence served as a starting point for the firm's subsequent extensive involvement in the ship repair sector. During both
1456-520: The company to Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction , a subsidiary company of the Doosan Group of South Korea : at that time the company was renamed Doosan Babcock Energy Ltd . In September 2009, the Czech -based steam turbine manufacturer, Skoda Power, became part of Doosan Babcock Energy Ltd; this venture was subsequently rebranded Doosan Power Systems Ltd in 2010. In 2000, Babcock took
1508-439: The design of the United Kingdom's next generation nuclear-armed submarines. In August 2014, Babcock issued a statement declaring that there would be job losses at HMNB Clyde if Scotland were to vote in favour of independence in the 2014 Referendum . In October 2014, both Babcock and BAE Systems won contracts from the Ministry of Defence worth a total of £3.2 billion to maintain British warships, submarines and naval bases for
1560-536: The early 20th century for naval training and as a base for the United Kingdom 's submarine based nuclear weapons system. A sea loch aligned north–south, Gare Loch is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long with an average width of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi). At its southern end it opens into the Firth of Clyde through the Rhu narrows. The village of Rosneath lies on the western shore just north of Rosneath Point and gives
1612-459: The eastern shore of Gare Loch in Argyll and Bute , to the north of the Firth of Clyde and 25 mi (40 km) west of Glasgow . The submarine base encompasses a number of separate sites, the primary two being: Faslane is also a Defence Equipment and Support site, operated in dual site organisation with Great Harbour, Greenock , by Babcock Marine and Technology , and managed by Serco Denholm . The naval shore establishment at Faslane
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1664-610: The emergency aviation businesses in Finland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden to UK group Alacala Partners which re-formed them into the Avincis Group. On 1 March 2024, Babcock signed a £560 million contract to refit the submarine, HMS Victorious at Devonport, securing over 1,000 jobs and extending its service life into the 2030s. In February 2023, the British Royal Navy ordered an investigation into
1716-510: The emergency response routines to a nuclear weapon accident at Faslane. It is conducted by the Office for Nuclear Regulation . In 2011 the test failed as "a number of command and control aspects of the exercise were not considered to have been adequately demonstrated". In 2013–14 there were 99 radiation accidents concerning nuclear reactors, and 6 with nuclear weapons. These are the highest numbers for at least six years. The MoD maintains that there
1768-462: The events in the reports posed any risk to the health of our personnel, or to any members of the public." Indeed, one of the recorded events was the incorrect labelling of an empty pallet. Minor events were reported and investigated so that performance could be continuously improved. "This comprehensive, independent recording process allows Clyde to maintain a robust reporting culture, undertake learning from experience and to take early corrective action,"
1820-502: The following five years. In December 2014, the Ministry of Defence alienated the non-aerospace assets of the Defence Support Group to Babcock. In September 2019, it was announced that Babcock had been selected as the preferred bidder to build the new fleet of five Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy . During 2018 and 2019, Babcock rebuffed multiple unsolicited advances by public services provider Serco to merge
1872-424: The loch during sea-trials. The submarine was carrying 80 passengers, made up of naval personnel as well as shipbuilders, when seawater entered the engine room causing flooding which killed 31. The remaining 48 men aboard were rescued in an effort which took over 57 hours. The submarine was later salvaged and re-entered service as HMS K22 . As a result of sinking of K13 , no other Royal Navy vessel has been named using
1924-488: The loss of around 6,000 jobs, over half of these based in Britain, reducing its workforce to less than 30,000. Several engineering and transport businesses were purchased during this period. During August 1989, FKI Babcock PLC demerged to form Babcock International Group PLC and FKI plc . The newly independent Babcock International soon engaged in several acquisitions. In April 1992, the firm bought Middle Eastern energy industry contractor King Wilkinson . That same year,
1976-459: The name Rosneath Peninsula to the whole body of land separating the Gare Loch from Loch Long to the west. The town of Helensburgh lies on the eastern shore and is the largest settlement on the banks of the loch. Other towns and villages next to the loch include Rhu , Garelochhead , Shandon, Argyll , Clynder and Rosneath . At the north end of the loch the substantial village of Garelochhead includes adventure holiday facilities and has
2028-664: The number 13. However it was during the Second World War that the loch became the site of a major naval base as its depth made it suitable to accommodate a large variety of naval craft. The loch was widely used by the United States military forces, alongside operations on nearby Holy Loch , during the war for naval landing preparations that would be deployed in North Africa and the Normandy landings . In
2080-580: The renowned Scottish structural engineer Sir William Arrol and Andrew Stewart, of the Lanarkshire -based steel tube makers A & J Stewart & Menzies, subsequently Stewarts & Lloyds . Following its establishment, the British company's sphere of operation was defined as 'the world except for North America and Cuba', which was the preserve of the US Babcock & Wilcox venture. Starting in 1885, B&W's steam boilers were manufactured in
2132-604: The strategic decision to move away from manufacturing towards maintaining and supporting the critical equipment and infrastructure of customers. Reflecting the successful shift in the company's strategic focus, in 2002 Babcock was duly reclassified on the London Stock Exchange from 'Engineering' to 'Support Services'. On 19 June 2002, the company acquired Service Group International Ltd, a provider of support services in defence and civil markets. It successfully bid for Peterhouse Group plc, and on 18 June 2004, its bid
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2184-419: The two businesses together. Merger proposals had been unanimously rejected by Babcock's board, having reportedly found the proposal to lack strategic merit. Reportedly, Rupert Soames , Serco's Chief Executive, remained interested in aligning his company's defence operations with Babcock's own divisions. At multiple occasions in 2019 and early 2020, Babcock issued profit warnings, which the firm attributed to
2236-499: The world, typically focusing on its contracting activities. Its materials-handling business, which had been unprofitable since the 1970s, was subject to restructuring efforts and job losses around this period. During 1987, Babcock merged with rival engineering company FKI Electricals plc , forming FKI Babcock PLC . Shortly thereafter, the newly merged company's head office in London and more than two-dozen plants were closed, causing
2288-635: Was a one-year protest at the base. It was a civil resistance initiative to apply critical public pressure for the disarmament of Britain's nuclear weapons. The campaign was launched in September 2006, with the first protest action commencing on 1 October 2006 carried out by a campaigning group of women associated with protests at Greenham Common . It formally ended with a "Big Blockade" on 1 October 2007. 131 blockading groups took part in Faslane 365 and 1150 arrests were made. Gare Loch The Gare Loch or Gareloch ( Scottish Gaelic : An Gearr Loch )
2340-574: Was chosen to host these vessels at the height of the Cold War because of its geographic position, which forms a bastion on the relatively secluded but deep and easily navigable Gare Loch and Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland. This position provides for rapid and stealthy access through the North Channel to the submarine patrolling areas in the North Atlantic , through the GIUK gap to
2392-549: Was declared unconditional as over 50% of shares were held. On 30 September 2004, it acquired Turner and Partners, a provider of professional services to the telecoms industry. On 9 May 2006, it went on to acquire Alstec Group Ltd, a nuclear and airport services operator, and on 13 June 2006, it bought the high voltage power lines and mobile telecoms business of ABB South Africa (Pty). On 10 May 2007, 19 million new shares were placed to fund acquisitions, and on 28 June 2007, it acquired Devonport Management Limited , operators of
2444-484: Was established in the 1940s and is still in use today after a number of new facilities were installed in 2014. Babcock Marine Babcock International Group plc is a British aerospace, defence and nuclear engineering services company based in London , England. It specialises in managing complex assets and infrastructure. Although the company has civil contracts, its main business is with public bodies, particularly
2496-666: Was first constructed and used as a base in the Second World War . During the 1960s, the British Government began negotiating the Polaris Sales Agreement with the United States regarding the purchase of a Polaris missile system to fire British-built nuclear weapons from five specially constructed submarines. In the end, only four were constructed; HMS Resolution , HMS Repulse , HMS Renown and HMS Revenge . These four submarines were permanently based at Faslane. Faslane itself
2548-491: Was heavily impacted, being redirected towards the civil sector, such as the oil industry . During late 1996, Babcock purchased Rosyth from the Ministry of Defence at a net cost of £21m. During 1995, a 75% stake in the boiler manufacturing and energy services activities (originally the core businesses of Babcock), by then known as Babcock Energy Ltd, were sold to Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding of Japan, and became Mitsui Babcock Energy Ltd. In November 2006, Mitsui sold
2600-557: Was named as the British Government's preferred buyer of the land repair and maintenance business of the Defence Support Group , an executive agency and trading fund of the Ministry of Defence. The sale and transfer to Babcock was completed on 1 April 2015. Throughout the 2010s, the company secured numerous naval contracts. In May 2012, Babcock was awarded a £15m contract by the Ministry of Defence to support
2652-593: Was no risk to the public as most of them were minor accidents. The SNP defence spokesman, Angus Robertson , called the figures "totally shocking". The MoD, however, argued that it was "entirely misleading" to focus only on the number of incidents, because they include "very minor issues such as the failure to fill out the correct form before painting works began." Indeed, the MOD stated that this "rigorous system shows how seriously MoD takes all aspects of nuclear safety, ensuring lessons are learned, and we can be clear that none of
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#17328010825872704-466: Was renamed Babcocks International Ltd . During 1982, Babcock International was floated on the London Stock Exchange , becoming Babcock International PLC . Around this time, subsidiary company Babcock & Wilcox (Operations) Ltd was rebranded Babcock Power Ltd ; this division has subsequently become Babcock Energy Ltd . By 1985, Babcock International's turnover had reached £1.1 billion; its subsidiaries were engaged in ventures and projects across
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