China May Build Tugs for British Naval Base with Nuclear Submarines

New tugs, intended to support operations at the British naval base with nuclear submarines in Faslane, may be built in China.

This is part of a major fleet modernization program, according to the UK Defence Journal.

The vessels are included in the Defence Maritime Services Next Generation program, under which the company Serco is replacing a variety of port and auxiliary ships for the Royal Navy.

The program involves replacing tugs, pilot boats, and barges operating at the UK’s naval bases. It also covers the Faslane base, where the country’s permanent nuclear deterrent is stationed.

Under the current contract, the Ministry of Defence pays Serco around $1.34 billion for supporting the bases in Faslane, Devonport, and Portsmouth.

The terms of the agreement allow the company to independently determine the supply chain for replacing the vessels, without the obligation to consult with ministers or involve British shipyards.

Serco’s partner, Damen, operates under a distributed shipbuilding model, using shipyards in Europe and Asia depending on the type of vessel and production capacities.

The company has already built commercial and auxiliary ships in China and Vietnam, while other types were produced in Poland and Romania.

Final outfitting and integration often take place in the Netherlands.

Serco and Damen have not yet confirmed the specific locations for building the new vessels. However, Damen’s production model suggests that some of the tugs could be built outside of Europe, including at Chinese shipyards.

The contract stipulates the delivery of 24 vessels between 2027 and 2028, including ASD tugs.

In the UK, political discussions have mostly been based on the assumption that the vessels will be built in the Netherlands.