The Dreadnought sonar system will be developed at sites in Templecombe, Somerset, and Stockport.
This is part of a £330 million contract to develop the ‘eyes and ears’ of Dreadnought submarines.
Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said:
“I am delighted to continue our 50-year strong partnership with Thales. These next-generation sonars and sensors will ensure our nuclear deterrent retains a stealth and detection advantage over adversaries. With over 500 jobs created or secured by this contract, we are clearly acting on the government’s commitment to level-up across the UK.”
According to the Ministry of Defence, the fleet will also be equipped with Thales Sonar 2076; providing them with the latest in acoustic detection capability. The visual and situational awareness sensor will combine electronic warfare technology with cameras to provide the Dreadnought crew with a visual link to the sea surface.
“The next-generation Dreadnought submarines will be the Royal Navy’s most advanced submarines ever when they enter service from the early 2030s and will be vital in providing the UK’s nuclear deterrent, as they replace the Vanguard class of ballistic missile submarines. Most of the jobs being created by the sub-contract to Thales UK are highly-skilled and in manufacturing, engineering and design. There will be 30 new posts in both Templecombe and Cheadle Heath, where 50 jobs will be secured at each site respectively. In Govan, 35 jobs will be secured while another 30 will be maintained in Crawley. Thales directly employs more than 7,000 people in the UK across ten sites.”
Thales Chief Executive Victor Chavez said:
“Thales is immensely proud of our contribution to the Continuous at-Sea Deterrent over the last 50 years. This announcement represents a £330m investment in world-class sonar and optronics systems; providing the battle-winning edge for the Royal Navy. Having supported the deterrent since its inception, and with over a century of supplying periscopes to the Royal Navy, I am proud that our engineers continue to deliver cutting edge innovative technology at sites across the UK.”
Steve Lloyd, BAE Submarine Solutions’ Dreadnought programme director, said:
“This major step, reflecting collaborative working between the Dreadnought Alliance and Thales UK, will make a direct contribution to the sustainment of Continuous at-Sea Deterrence through the delivery of the next generation of the UK’s ballistic missile carrying submarines. The £31 billion Dreadnought programme is one of the most complex engineering projects ever undertaken by the UK Government and remains on schedule and within budget.”
Still no articles on the new nuclear warhead acquisition that was leaked by septic incompetnence?
Spoke too soon, though its now old news. No way to delete comments?
Thank god this contract went to England should say all the racists making any more comments like yesterday.
FYI George Alison not sure if you every read or moderate comments (apparently not) but I’ll say you to are a biggeted ***** much the same as the commentators often in here. Your lack of moderation and constant posting articles designed to do nothing more than inflame English nationalist is quite shocking and the fact that you are either Scottish or living in Scotland does not excuse you.
Let’s see if you moderate this comment.
So you’re opposed to the contract going to an English factory? Thales is French owned by the way, maybe you can get some mileage out of that too?
No I’m all for it going to an English factory, my point was about the post from the previous day about periscopes going to a company in Glasgow and the little Englanders jumping on the band wagon as per usual and as per usual George Allison or who ever is moderating this site doing nothing about it. George Allison frequently writes articles here with no other purpose than to inflame anti Scottish rhetoric. I can see that my comments are awaiting moderation so it’s ok on here to say what ever the **** you like about Scottish people but not… Read more »
You believe an article about a major contract being awarded is purely to anger anti-Scottish people? That’s perhaps the daftest thing I’ve ever read.
We get 400 comments per day, if you see something you should probably be reporting it. We’re volunteers, that’s all.
George not to worry, you will always get a percentage of nay do wells on any comments board, and I have to say I do find it amusing to read. But I do understand that you guys volunteer in your own time doing this, so I will take the opportunity to say cheers.
“Little Englanders”? Is that like the usual “Little Scotlanders” the oft repeating, pontificating chip on shoulder Independance National Socialists?
Nope, just read the article three times and cannot find any justification for your rant.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/dreadnought-sub-periscope-to-be-developed-and-manufactured-in-glasgow/
Read this then compare the comments.
I read one comment saying that if Scotland gets independence then warship building will have to move out of Scotland. One comment! And it’s a true statement of fact. Damn that chip on your shoulder must get in the way when you put your tank top on.
I just have. Sorry Martin, I don’t understand at all? No one there has moaned about the SNP, or that Scotland should get on and leave.
I think most here see themselves as British first and foremost, with Scots a valued partner in the UK. I know I do.
WTF, give it a rest you bigoted nutter!
Increase the dosage of your medication you lunatic.
I love you too.
”The Dreadnought sonar system will be developed at BAE sites in Templecombe, Somerset, and Stockport.”
Sorry George, but isn’t the sonar being developed by Thales not BAE, or are Both companies developing systems for dreadnought?
£330m seems like a whole load of cash. I guess we will never find out for sure, but I wonder what makes it better than the ones in the astute.
Oh it’s the same sonar. Then why so expensive when the R&D is already paid for?
Why so expensive? Isn’t that the usual with MoD procurement?
Why do I get the feeling we paid for the R&D but didn’t get the IP as part of that deal, so we are double paying for it.
The article mentions; “According to the Ministry of Defence, the fleet will also be equipped with Thales Sonar 2076;” which would point to this being an additional suite of sensors? Confused.
I read somewhere Sonar 2076 costs around $75m per unit, which for 4 boats would still only come in at around £230m or so accounting for currency. If it is for this then there’s a whole lot of additional costs we don’t know about surely?
There is no BAE site in Templecombe, that is a Thales UK site. im not sure Thales would thank anyone if BAE started getting credit for sonar expertise they have