MoD announces £201m nuclear submarine funding package

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced it will deliver a £201 million funding package to BAE systems, to support further development for the next generation of nuclear submarines.

The funding will be used to explore and implement the design potential of equipment and systems that could increase the manufacturing processes, including the production of early prototypes.

The new submarine is expected to be the stealthiest, safest and most technically advanced ever constructed in the UK.

The submarine’s design will draw on modern capabilities in innovation, design and engineering and is set to employ around 2,500 highly-skilled people in the UK from BAE Systems, Babcock and Rolls-Royce.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “The round the clock nuclear deterrent is as crucial to Britain’s national security now as it has ever been. We use it everyday to deter extreme threats that cannot be countered by any other means.

“When there are 17,000 nuclear weapons in the world, we can’t wish away threats we face now and those that may emerge in the 2030s, 2040s, and 2050s.

The funding is part of a total £3.3 billion package announced in the last parliament for the Assessment Phase of the Successor submarine programme.

Four Vanguard submarines, currently used to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent will be replaced from the early 20130s.