The UK’s nuclear deterrent programme reached another milestone on Monday as steel was cut for HMS King George VI, the fourth and final Dreadnought-class submarine.
The ceremony at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness was led by Defence Secretary John Healey MP, marking the start of construction on a vessel expected to enter service in the early 2030s as part of the UK’s continuous at-sea deterrent.
“Submarine building is a vital UK industry, sustaining thousands of jobs and apprenticeships up and down the country, all while continuing to keep the country safe around the clock,” said Healey. “Barrow is an outstanding example of security and growth working hand-in-hand – adding a new attack submarine to the Royal Navy’s fleet, building the next generation of nuclear-armed submarines, and simultaneously supporting thousands of skilled local jobs and apprenticeships.”
The event coincided with the commissioning of HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s newest Astute-class attack submarine, by King Charles III. The King also formally conferred the title of Royal Port on Barrow, recognising the town’s role as the hub of UK submarine construction.
Chief of Defence Nuclear Madelaine McTernan CB described the cutting of steel as “a significant milestone marking positive progress in this extraordinary programme.” She added: “Delivering these submarines is a truly national endeavour with a vast UK supply chain, culminating in the build at the Royal Port of Barrow.”
Once complete, the four-boat Dreadnought fleet will replace the Vanguard-class submarines that currently provide the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Designed to carry Trident missiles, they will be the most advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.
The Ministry of Defence said Britain’s defence nuclear sector supports over 47,000 jobs nationwide, a figure projected to rise to 65,000 by 2030. Barrow alone now employs more than 13,500 people in submarine work, including around 1,800 apprentices and 500 graduates training at BAE’s Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive of BAE Systems, said: “This is a proud day for Barrow and everyone involved in the wider UK submarine enterprise who are working collaboratively to deliver the Dreadnought and Astute class submarines.”
Hopefully we take the last chance and get one more Dreadnaught class before the SSN A build starts. If we are to get on to the expedited build program they envisage for the SSN A program then we should have a mature design soon with first steel being cut in two years from now.
That doesn’t seem likely.
Meanwhile we could easily get HMS Bommy mick Bomb face ordered and give ourselves and Europe a much better more flexible deterrent with the ability to have three European SSBN’s at sea permanently.
If Mad Vlad and Xi do something nice in the interim like dying of old age and the world suddenly becomes peaceful again we can easily convert the boat to an SSGN.
Good news, I do wonder if it’s a good to just crack on and build an extra 2 at the end of the production line and simply eqiup the commoner missile compartment with Cruise missiles.
1) it would give the RN two SSGNs, with significant abilities to provide a massive conventional deterrent, to complement the SSN fleet up to 9 boats
2) they could be shifted to ballistic missiles if the CASD needed upgrading to two boats out at a time.
3) they would make it harder for an enemy to track and attack the CASD boats as they would be essentially more targets to track
4) if for any reason the CASD is struggling ( say two boats get critical faults) they can be shifted to ballistic missile boats.
Essentially you get support for your SSN fleet quicker, a massive conventional deterrent and a more secure CASD with growth potential…sort of win win to be honest.
Given the allergy that this government have for buying defence equipment, so far, their record is abysmal, I won’t hold my breath on them finding the cash for 2 extra subs.
I’m one who remains sceptical the 12 SSN ever happen for the RN, despite ABCs regular explanations on the industrial groundwork being laid.
Sadly I agree with you.. the entire west apart from a couple of nations boarding Russia seem to be sleepwalking into a big problem ( and I include the U.S. on that).
This government has increased defence expenditure compared to the last administration and committed to 3.5% + 1.5.%. It all in the SDR mentioned up to 12 SSNs. Yes I will believe it when I see it but their track record is marginally better so far compared to the last lot.
Does anyone know how long it normally takes before another hull is started?
14ft.
>extra 2 at the end of the production line
Why? It seems a very costly and inefficient way of getting maybe 48 cruise missiles to sea in 20 years time. A Dreadnought takes 2.5 times more manhours to build than an Astute, costs a pile more to money to maintain and run, and even in a SSGN config is far less versatile than SSN AUKUS will be. Two extra Dreadnought’s would also push back delivery of the first RN AUKUS from the late 2030’s to the mid 2040’s, and reduce the buy from 12 to 7 boats – a significant loss of capability as the RN knows all too after painfully downsizing from 12 S/T’s to just 5 (eventually 7) A’s. And the delay would really annoy the Australian’s, who would then be faced with the enormous challenge of building the lead AUKUS submarine.
How far along is Dreadnought?