The UK Government is to build up to a dozen new attack submarines as part of the AUKUS programme, in response to “rapidly increasing threats”. The decision means that the UK’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded.
In a statement, the government said: “The increase in submarines will transform the UK’s submarine-building industry…and deliver on the Plan for Change, supporting 30,000 highly skilled jobs up and down the country well into the 2030s, as well as helping to deliver 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles across the next 10 years.”
Currently, the UK is set to operate seven Astute-class attack submarines, which will be replaced with an increased fleet of up to 12 SSN-AUKUS submarines from the late 2030s.
The boost to the SSN-AUKUS programme will see a major expansion of industrial capability at Barrow and Raynesway, Derby, with the build of a new submarine every 18 months in the future. To ensure the demands of this expanded programme can be met, government is working closely with industry partners to rapidly expand training and development opportunities, aiming to double defence and civil nuclear apprentice and graduate intakes.
The announcement came as the government prepared to unveil its Strategic Defence Review (SDR), an externally led review expected to recommend that the UK’s armed forces move to warfighting readiness to deter growing threats. Defence secretary John Healey MP said: “We know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression. With new submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.” The SDR also calls for significant investment into the UK sovereign warhead programme this parliament, while maintaining the existing stockpile.
