Royal Navy nuclear deterrence program receives £8bn for the Dreadnought program
More than £8bn is being pumped into the Royal Navy’s next-generation nuclear deterrent submarines in the latest investment in the Dreadnought program. The cash – the fourth phase of production of the biggest submarine construction project in a generation – will carry the program through to key milestones early next decade:
An unprecedented £8 billion investment is being poured into the Royal Navy's next-generation nuclear deterrent submarines through the Dreadnought program. This marks the fourth phase of production for the largest submarine construction project in a generation. The funds will support the program until critical milestones in the next decade, including the completion of HMS Dreadnought's sea trials and service entry, the entry of HMS Valiant into service, and the completion of boats 3 and 4, HMS Warspite and King George VI.
Each Dreadnought will be over 17,000 tons, more than 500 feet long, and crewed by around 130 individuals, slightly larger than the current Vanguard-class submarines. This new class of submarines is set to continue the 24/7/365 nuclear deterrent patrols since 1969. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who toured BAE Systems' Barrow facility with Defense Secretary Wes Streeting, highlighted the program's importance in maintaining national security and creating jobs.
The Dreadnought program has already created 1,800 jobs in Barrow alone over the past two years. In total, the program supports approximately 47,000 jobs in the UK, with the potential to grow to 65,000 by 2030 and provide over 22,000 apprenticeships by 2035. The nuclear endeavor also supports a supply chain of over 6,000 UK-based companies.
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