British HMS Vigilant to receive overhaul

LONDON, March 9 (UPI) -- The British Ministry of Defense announced a major overhaul plan for the Royal Navy's HMS Vigilant submarine.

John Hutton, British secretary of state for defense, recently announced a plan to refit the HMS Vigilant, a strategic missile submarine, with next-generation technologies by dockyard operator Babcock Marine, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

Under the approximately $414 million contract, Babcock will complete a weapons overhaul for the HMS Vigilant and install a new nuclear reactor core, among other upgrades.

"The major overhaul will furnish Vigilant with the latest reactor core, as used in the new Astute-class submarines, fueling her for life," Vice Adm. Sir Trevor Soar, Ministry of Defense chief of materiel fleet, said in a statement.

"Several other important updates to both her self-defense systems and her Trident missile system are also included, significantly updating the combat ability of this 21st century warship."