US approves huge submarine weapons systems sale to Britain

The United States has approved a USD 1 billion foreign military sale to the United Kingdom covering submarine combat and weapon systems, technical support and embedded personnel to support the design and development of the next generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines being developed under the AUKUS trilateral partnership.

The sale covers technical assistance to the design and development of what the notification describes as “AUKUS-specific vertical deployment tubes; common weapon launchers; multiple all-up-round canister support service modules; network input output units; servers and switches and custom electronics, which are specific components of the submarine warfare federated tactical system.”

Also included are simulation equipment, engineering demonstration models, testing and installation equipment, software and source code, publications and technical documentation, facility support and personnel training, as well as “U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; test and trials support; studies and surveys; and other related elements of engineering services for associated equipment and program support.”

A notable element of the sale is the provision of “embedded U.S. and UK personnel located in both UK and U.S. facilities to support submarine design,” reflecting the depth of integration between the two nations’ submarine programmes under AUKUS Pillar 1.

The notification explains that the original Foreign Military Sales case, valued at $50 million, covered “non-recurring engineering support; design integration of U.S. equipment; submarine combat and weapons systems support for design and production of next generation, future class of nuclear-powered attack submarines developed for the Royal Australian Navy and United Kingdom Royal Navy, and developed as part of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, UK, and the U.S. (AUKUS)” as well as “delivery of software and technical publications for combat and weapon systems, and UK liaison office administrative support.”

The revised estimated total cost for the case is now $1 billion, a twentyfold increase on the original value as the scope of the programme has expanded. Do note, however, that this does not mean that this is what has been spent.

The State Department said the proposed sale would support US foreign policy and national security objectives by “improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe” and would improve the UK’s capability to meet current and future threats by “providing an effective combatant deterrent capability to protect maritime interests and infrastructure.” It added that the acquisition would “enhance stability and maritime security in the northwestern region of Europe and contribute to the security and strategic objectives of NATO and the United States” and that “the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

Principal contractors named in the notification are Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Virginia; General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut; General Dynamics Mission Systems in Fairfax, Virginia; Progeny Systems in Manassas, Virginia; Lockheed Martin in Bethesda, Maryland; and Systems Planning and Analysis in Alexandria, Virginia.