SECNAV Enhances Maritime Strategy at UK’s Barrow-in-Furness Shipyard

Barrow, ENGLAND – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro paid a significant visit to BAE Systems’ Submarines Barrow-in-Furness Shipyard during his recent trip to the United Kingdom. The visit underscored the strategic alliance between the U.S. and UK in submarine construction and maintenance.

While at the shipyard, Secretary Del Toro engaged with UK government officials, Royal Navy representatives, and industry leaders. The discussions primarily focused on enhancing cooperation and implementing best practices. An important aspect of these conversations was an update on the SSN-AUKUS program, which emphasizes knowledge transfer, technology insertion, and senior leadership engagements between the two nations.

The tour gave Del Toro an in-depth look at various stages of submarine production, from the initial hull sections of the future Dreadnought-class submarines to the near-completion Astute-class models. He also visited the Submarine Skills Academy, where he interacted with apprentices who are specializing in different trades essential for submarine construction.

“It was an incredible visit to BAE’s Barrow Shipyard, where I saw the construction of the Royal Navy’s most advanced submarines by highly skilled technicians and visited their apprentice workshops developing the next generation of submarine-builders,” Secretary Del Toro commented. “Lessons learned from building these extraordinary ships will pave the way for industry to build the next-generation SSN-AUKUS.”

Additionally, the visit showcased the Shiplift system, an innovation allowing submarines to be raised and lowered in and out of the water for delivery and maintenance, eliminating the need for a traditional dry dock. This method marks a significant advancement in submarine logistics and maintenance efficiency.

Another highlight was the construction of a public university satellite facility at the shipyard. This development indicates a proactive approach by the industry to attract, educate, and incorporate new talent into the workforce, addressing the skilled labor shortage in the shipbuilding sector.

Secretary Del Toro praised the strong collaboration between the shipyard, national, and local governments in addressing workforce challenges within the shipbuilding industrial base. “As part of my Maritime Statecraft initiative, I will continue to promote public-private training partnerships like this that revitalize American shipbuilding,” Del Toro said.

The Maritime Statecraft initiative, launched on Sept. 23, 2023, aims to reinforce U.S. and allied maritime power through a comprehensive whole-of-government approach.