LR secures in-service submarine contract for Royal Navy’s submarines

July 18, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) has secured a 12-month in-service submarine support contract from the UK Ministry of Defense (MOD) through the Aurora Framework.

Under the new contract, LR will provide experienced surveyors to His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, offering expert support to the Royal Navy’s submarines.

In parallel, the classification society will offer technical consultancy from MOD Abbey Wood, delivering strategic advice. This dual-location presence is expected to ensure responsive, on-the-ground service backed by technical expertise.

“This contract represents a major step forward in our mission to support the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. By embedding experts within the Royal Navy’s operating environment, LR is now uniquely positioned to help shape future submarine support frameworks,” Matthew Palmer, LR’s Global Nuclear and Naval Submarines, Segment Director, said.

“As we continue to support some of the world’s most complex maritime defence platforms, this milestone reinforces our position as a trusted partner for naval safety, capability and resilience.”

This contract marks the culmination of several years of close and sustained collaboration between Lloyd’s Register and the UK Ministry of Defense. Through this engagement, LR firmly establishes its role within the in-service submarine domain to enhance its support to the Royal Navy in maintaining operational readiness, safety, and long-term fleet resilience.

By drawing upon LR’s expertise in class-based assurance regimes—traditionally used in the commercial maritime sector—this collaboration introduces a higher level of rigour and structured oversight to a domain that typically operates outside of conventional class rules, according to LR.

Ultimately, the partnership sets a new benchmark for technical assurance and governance in the defence maritime sector.

This February, LR awarded Unmanned Marine Systems (UMS) Certification to Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK) for its RNMB Hydra vessel, an uncrewed Royal Navy surface vessel designed for mine sweeping and mine hunting tasks.  