£1.3bn submarine built to defend the UK from Russia stranded in port awaiting repair
A SUBMARINE built to defend the UK from record levels of Russian “activity” is stranded in port for a year as the Navy has no working dry dock where it can be repaired.
The nuclear powered attack sub HMS Audacious is tied up at HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, next to a submarine graveyard.
The £1.3bn hunter-killer is designed to stalk Russian submarines, hoover up secret intelligence and deliver SBS special forces on raids.
But the only dry dock where the sub can be fixed is currently being rebuilt and won’t be ready until spring at the earliest.
The Tomahawk cruise missile armed sub berthed at Devonport in March, after 403 days at sea, mostly in the eastern Mediterranean.
Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin warned Russian “submarine and underwater activity” was at its highest level since the Cold War.
But he admitted it would take “a long time” to get HMS Audacious back in action.
He told MPs: “We do not have dock available in Plymouth”.
It is unclear why sub, which only entered service in 2021, needs time in Dock 15 which is earmarked for major refits and nuclear refuelling.
Upgrades to the dock take time as it has to withstand earthquakes and have multiple power and water supplies to keep the reactors cool in the event of an emergency.
Contractors Babcock insisted the works were on schedule and that some repairs to HMS Audacious were already underway.
A Babcock spokesperson said: “Work in 15 Dock is progressing to schedule in support of the wider submarine maintenance programme.
“The planned work on HMS Audacious is already underway.”
The adjacent dock is off limits as it’s earmarked for dismantling subs from the graveyard.
It comes after all six of the Navy’s nuclear attack submarines were in dock at the same time – giving Russia a “free pass” at UK waters.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told The Sun: “We don’t comment on submarine operations but we have always been able to fulfil our international commitments.”
A Royal Navy Spokesperson said: “Our submarines continue to meet their commitments, deploying globally on operations, protecting national interests, and keeping us and our allies safe.”