THE DREADNOUGHT FLEET

BAE Systems is the industrial lead in the Dreadnought Alliance alongside partners Ministry of Defence, Rolls-Royce and the Submarine Delivery Agency, to deliver the Dreadnought programme - a “A National Endeavour”, supplying a new generation of 4 nuclear-powered submarines to carry the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent.

The first of Class, HMS Dreadnought, is past its mid-point in construction. SDA on 17th December 2024 reported that "Construction of Dreadnought Class submarines continued at pace, with subsequent investments of circa £8.3 billion made to the supply chain."

Second boat HMS Valiant is well underway.

The third HMS Warspite, began construction in Autumn 2022.

King George V1 will follow.

Their construction is the biggest defence project underway in the UK today.

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) procures and project manages the construction of future Royal Navy submarines, and supports those in-service, working with MoD's Navy Command and the Defence Nuclear Organisation.

The 4 boats will begin to replace the current Vanguard class in the 2030s, ushering in a new era of at-sea deterrence, protecting and providing the ultimate guarantee of UK’s national security.

Dreadnought boats will be the largest submarines ever built for the Royal Navy. Displacement is 17,200 tonnes, length 153.6m, crew around 130.Each boat will have:

  • A new generation of nuclear reactor (PWR 3) providing power and propulsion
  • Common missile compartments to those operated by USA’s Columbia class boats
  • Sophisticated electronic systems, sensors and tactical weapons.

The submarines are being built in 16 units, grouped into three ‘mega units’ (Aft, Mid and Forward) in order to optimize the overall build timeframe.

The build phase for all four submarines will take approximately 20 years.

Jobs

The MOD estimates that 42,000 jobs across the UK are supported by the Dreadnought programme, either directly or indirectly. Around half of these jobs may be in the North West of England making a significant contribution to the Government’s Growth and Prosperity priorities.

On 24 March  2024 a Defence Nuclear Enterprise Command Paper called "Delivering The UK's Nuclear Deterrent As A National Endeavour." It set out Government's policy, skills and investment priorities for the four submarines, missiles, warheads, safety and security.

The Command Paper set out, for the first time, what it takes to deliver the nuclear deterrent, reaffirmed UK's commitment to maintaining global stability, working with our allies including NATO, and reminds potential adversaries that we are ready to prevent coercion and deter aggression.              It represents a commitment to enhance our industrial base, working in closer partnership with academia and business, and a promise that we will maximize economic opportunity and invest in our communities. It is also a call to action to everyone who contributes to safeguarding the security and prosperity of our nation by supporting the nuclear deterrent.

Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems Chief Executive and member of the Nuclear Skills Executive Council said:

"Barrow is at the heart of the UK’s submarine enterprise and as the custodian of our submarine design and build capability, we’re incredibly proud of the role we play in the Astute, Dreadnought and now SSN-AUKUS programmes.

Today’s announcement reinforces the importance of continued investment in critical nuclear skills at a time of significant growth for our submarines business and our 13,500 employees.

The long-term vision set out in the command paper is hugely welcome and will support the necessary infrastructure development and recruitment required for the delivery of these important national security programmes."

Supply Chain and Prosperity

Although the MOD has contracted directly with BAE Systems and Rolls Royce for production, an estimated 2,500 suppliers across the UK are working on the Dreadnought programme.

BAE Systems estimates that its part of the programme alone will support a £7.5 billion supply chain across 1,500 British companies.

It is unclear how much of the value of the overall programme rests with overseas suppliers. BAE Systems has contracted for some of the specialized high strength steel required for the submarines from a French supplier.

Budget and  Costs

The cost of the Dreadnought programme has been estimated at £31 billion, including inflation over the life of the programme. A £10 billion contingency has also been set aside.

As of March 2023, £14.7 billion had been spent on the concept, assessment, and early delivery phases of the project and £2 billion (20%) of the contingency fund had been accessed so far.

Since 2023 defence nuclear spend has been ringfenced within the MOD budget. Nuclear equipment programmes are forecast to cost £117.8 billion over the next ten years (2023-2033), of which £109.8 billion has been budgeted for, leaving a £7.9 billion deficit. The Dreadnought programme forms part of that spend.

The annual in-service costs of the deterrent, which prior to 2023 had been estimated at approximately 6% of the defence budget (approximately £3 billion in 2023/24) are now included in overall DNE spend

Delivery Phase 3 (DP3) work on Dreadnought, Valiant and Warspite involves investment valued at £10Bn, starting with over £2.4Bn in contracts awarded to BAE Systems and Rolls Royce at the end of March 2022.

Earlier a £1.3bn contract for (DP1) for steel cut on the first boat started in 2016.

In 2018, a £900m contract award for Delivery Phase 2 (DP2) ran to 2022.

The Deterrent Submarines Payload

Replacement of the Trident II D5 missile itself is not part of the programme. The UK is, however, participating in the US’ current service-life extension programme for the Trident II D5 missile, which will extend the life of the missile potentially to the early 2060s.

Replacement of the nuclear warhead is also not part of the Dreadnought programme. After having deferred a decision on replacement in the 2010 SDSR, in February 2020 the Government confirmed that a replacement programme is underway. Transition to the new warhead, which will be compatible with the Trident missile system, is expected from the late 2030s onwards.

References:

Replacing the UK's Nuclear Deterrent: Progress of the Dreadnought Class, House of Commons Library, https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8010/ published 2nd August 2024.

https://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/product/dreadnought

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-announces-national-endeavour-to-strengthen-the-uks-nuclear-deterrent

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-command-paper

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-advised-to-order-dreadnought-sub-for-cruise-missiles/

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-glasgow-rolls-royce-nuclear-submarine-office-creates-new-jobs

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-navys-nuclear-submarine-support-facility-upgraded

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/560-million-investment-to-modernise-nuclear-submarine-supporting-more-than-1000-jobs

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/submarine-delivery-agency-sda-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024

Job Search

Dreadnought Alliance Website  https://dreadnoughtalliance.co.uk/programme/dreadnought/

 

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