The US is spending $115m and the UK is spending $18m on Trident MK 6 guidance system production with failure verification, test, repair and re-certification work.
According to a contract notice issued today, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc is being awarded $132,931,685 for Trident (D5) MK 6 guidance system production with failure verification, test, repair and re-certification of inertial measurement units, electronic assemblies, and electronic modules.
The maximum value of the contract if all options are exercised is $370,175,927 according to the notice.
“Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minnesota (27.34 percent); Clearwater, Florida (25.19 percent); Cambridge, Massachusetts (24.39 percent); and Pittsfield, Massachusetts (23.08 percent), and is expected to be completed Jan. 30, 2021.
Fiscal 2017 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $114,790,685; and United Kingdom funds in the amount of $18,141,000 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.”
Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
Recently, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, together with Representatives of the North Atlantic Council and members of NATO’s Military Committee, visited Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde at Faslane to mark the United Kingdom’s 350th nuclear submarine patrol.
“I welcome the UK’s strong contribution to NATO, from its commitment to defence investment to its operational deployments.” Mr Stoltenberg said.
Rear Admiral John Weale OBE, Head of the UK Submarine Service said:
“Our nuclear submarines are among the most complex machines ever built and ensuring that one is at sea continuously is a huge challenge. That the Royal Navy has completed 350 deterrent patrols without once breaking the chain is simply a momentous achievement.
Everyone knows that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Whether it is the dedication of our submariners, the expertise of our engineers and support staff, or the love of our families– each link remained strong throughout. I would like to thank the many thousands of people, past and present, who have contributed to this milestone. It is a testament to their hard work and commitment in helping to keep the UK safe.”
The Royal Navy say that continuous Trident armed submarine patrolling began in April 1969 with the Royal Navy’s submarines taking primary responsibility for the UK’s national strategic deterrent. Since then at least one Royal Navy ballistic submarine has been on patrol in the world’s oceans, ensuring a continuous at sea deterrent.
Just as a side note, When I was based on Ascension Island, the yanks would test their Tridents (without warheads of course) near the Island. We would have a load of US planes and ships visit and on the night a number of us, would drive up to the BBC bar (Its an outside bar) at Two boats and watch the multi warhead fireworks display (A lot like the scene in terminator 2) but without the fiery ending.
Fascinating. Did you see GCHQ at Two Boats?
Frightening
Making sure one of the worlds biggest guarantees of no world war 3 is kept up to date, in good condition and safe?
The perfect answer.
The UK provides this deterrent to all of the nations within NATO, and hence the EU, and probably several others who we have close connections with around the globe. I’m going to text Ms. May suggesting that the cost of this deterrent be included in all future Brexit negotiations. These EU nations have been the beneficiaries of this deterrent for decades and now owe the UK billions of $. I doubt any of them consider it has any benefit though.
Apart from the US, does anyone contribute more to NATO than we do?