UK announces construction of up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS nuclear attack submarines
The British government has unveiled ambitious plans to significantly expand its fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines, with the construction of up to 12 SSN-AUKUS submarines. The announcement is part of the newly released Strategic Defence Review, which aims to prepare the UK Armed Forces for warfighting readiness in the face of growing global threats.
The new submarines will be built under the AUKUS partnership with the United States and Australia and will gradually replace the current fleet of seven Astute-class submarines beginning in the late 2030s. Construction will take place at BAE Systems’ facilities in Barrow-in-Furness and Rolls-Royce in Raynesway, Derby, with a new submarine expected to be launched every 18 months.
According to the government, the SSN-AUKUS program will drive a major transformation in Britain’s naval industry, supporting 30,000 highly skilled jobs and delivering 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate positions over the next decade. The investment is part of the “Plan for Change,” aimed at strengthening national security while boosting economic growth through the defence sector.
In addition to the SSN-AUKUS program, the Strategic Defence Review outlines several key defence initiatives, including:
- Modernisation of the UK’s sovereign nuclear warhead programme with £15 billion in funding, ensuring the continuity of the country’s at-sea nuclear deterrent;
- Creation of a new CyberEM Command to lead cyber operations, backed by £1 billion in investment in digital capabilities;
- Procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range missiles;
- Expansion of munitions and support equipment stockpiles;
- Over £1.5 billion in additional funding to improve the housing infrastructure for military personnel and their families.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that “national security is the foundation of our Plan for Change” and emphasized that strengthening the submarine fleet and nuclear programme will make the UK “secure at home and strong abroad.”
Defence Secretary John Healey also highlighted the importance of the move in the current international context: “We know threats are increasing, and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression.”
The announcement reinforces the UK’s commitment to strategic deterrence and NATO security, ensuring modern defence capabilities for decades to come and establishing the country as a cornerstone of global maritime and nuclear security.
