The UK Government has begun work to define the future of its nuclear deterrent after the Dreadnought class, according to Defence Minister Luke Pollard.
His comments came in response to a parliamentary question from Ben Obese-Jecty MP on 18 October, referencing recommendation 34 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025.
Pollard spoke about the Government’s commitment to the “United Kingdom’s independent nuclear deterrent,” describing it as “underpinned by our triple lock commitment to continue to build the four new Dreadnought Class submarines, maintain our continuous at sea deterrent and deliver all the required upgrades, including the replacement warhead.”
The Minister confirmed that the Government has accepted all of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations, including the need to begin defining the requirements for the system that will eventually succeed the Dreadnought class. Work on this early-stage planning is already underway within the current Parliament.
The Dreadnought programme, led by BAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness, is delivering four new ballistic missile submarines to replace the Vanguard class, which has sustained the UK’s continuous at-sea deterrent since 1994. The first boat, HMS Dreadnought, is expected to enter service in the early 2030s.
While the MOD has not provided details on what the “post-Dreadnought” deterrent might entail, the Strategic Defence Review recommended that the Government begin assessing long-term requirements to ensure the UK retains a credible and survivable deterrent capability into the second half of the century.
That process will likely involve coordination between the Ministry of Defence, the Atomic Weapons Establishment, and key industrial partners responsible for submarine design, propulsion, and warhead development. The review also noted the importance of aligning these studies with allied strategic planning and advances in undersea and missile defence technology.
The statement makes pretty clear that the Government has begun to lay the groundwork for what will eventually become the UK’s next generation of strategic deterrent, a project expected to span multiple decades and governments.
“Accepting all recomendations”
That’s the bit we are all interested in, mainly what they will be doing next.
“Money on the table”, let’s get to it.
Build the next with more missile tubes. The world situation may be even worse than at present requiring a stronger deterrent against multiple threats If things cool down and some can be unused then bonus, but FFS don’t base the planning on all being peace and love, plan for the worst.
Oh, and look at a sustainable deterrent that does not rely on the US!
Which is more viable, relying on the US or the French?
Build 5 SSBNs. So we don’t ever end up in the situation like we have now of near 6mth patrols. Plus in time of war it might allow 3 SSBNs to be at sea to up hold the nuclear option.
At this far-out, I imagine it’s looking at what new technologies will be be required, and mature, by then, such as quantum inertial navigation systems (Q-INS), reduction in magnetic image through the use of new materials into replace steel, etc, etc.