Cammell Laird welcomes Rear Admiral Donald Doull CBE.

APCL Group facility Cammell Laird welcomed Rear Admiral Donald Doull CBE to its facility last week.

The Rear Admiral, Senior Responsible Officer for the Royal Navy's Dreadnought Submarine Programme, visited Cammell Laird to present an award in recognition of its exceptional contribution to Dreadnought programme delivery.

The Rear Admiral was invited for a presentation with APCL directors, followed by a full workforce briefing and tour of the Birkenhead facility where the units are being fabricated.

The Dreadnought Class will replace the existing Vanguard fleet and will be the Royal Navy’s biggest, most powerful and technically advanced submarines when they begin to enter service in the early 2030s.

Rear Admiral Donald Doull spoke of the increasing importance of the UK nuclear deterrent, the UK’s nuclear attack submarine force and the critical role played by Cammell Laird in delivering them.

Mike Hill, Managing Director of Cammell Laird, said: “The Dreadnought programme has been a key facilitator of growth not only for our business but our award winning apprenticeship programme.

“I am proud that so many local young people continue to learn their trade on a project of such national importance.

“This award is a testament to the commitment and skills of our entire workforce and I am proud to share this award with each and every one of them.”

In addition to delivering Dreadnought, Cammell Laird successfully delivered the block-build units for boats four, five, six and seven of the new Astute Class for BAE Systems, which will equip the UK Royal Navy with its largest and most powerful fleet of attack submarines.

Each of the seven new Astute Class nuclear-powered submarines weigh approximately 17,200 tonnes and provide the Royal Navy with enhanced capabilities in terms of power, weapons load, communication facilities and stealth.