Deadly Dozen: U.K. Unveils Plan For 12 New Attack Submarines Under SDR

The Royal Navy will acquire 12 new nuclear-powered SSN-AUKUS attack submarines to replace its Astute-class boats, the Prime Minister is expected to announce today (Monday) as the Government publishes its long-awaited Strategic Defence Review (SDR).

At present the U.K. fields up to seven conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered Astute-class attack submarines; these are scheduled to be replaced by an enhanced fleet of up to a dozen SSN-AUKUS boats from the late 2030s.

The plan to increase the U.K.’s underwater fleet includes a commitment “to build a new submarine every 18 months,” and “to rapidly expand training and development opportunities, aiming to double defence and civil nuclear apprentice and graduate intakes.”

The externally-led SDR being unveiled later today (Monday) is expected to recommend that the U.K.’s armed forces “move to warfighting readiness” to deter the growing threats.

As per an MoD press statement, the SDR report makes 62 recommendations, which the government is expected to accept in full. As part of its response it is planning a £15 billion investment in domestic nuclear weapons to equip the nation’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD) — the Vanguard-class SSBN subs set to be replaced by the Dreadnought class from the early 2030s.

The Prime Minister is expected to say: “Alongside the commitment to expand the U.K.’s conventionally armed attack submarine fleet, the government is securing the future of the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Nuclear Deterrent, backed by a £15 billion investment into the sovereign warhead programme in this parliament and supporting more than 9,000 jobs.

“It is the first time the U.K. has outlined the full scale of its investment plans in its warhead programmes and is further evidence of the Government’s triple lock commitment to the nuclear deterrent: to maintain our continuous at-sea deterrent; to build the new fleet of Dreadnought submarines; and to deliver all future upgrades necessary.”

Defence Secretary John Healey remarked: “Our outstanding submariners patrol 24/7 to keep us and our allies safe, but we know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression.”

The Prime Minister is launching the SDR at an event in Glasgow at 10am, where he will be taking questions from journalists; some time after 3.30pm the Defence Secretary is also scheduled to be making a statement to MPs about the SDR.

• You can read more details on the U.K. MoD website