UK moves to warfighting readiness as it builds 12 new nuclear-powered submarines

The UK will build 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines armed with conventional weapons as part of the AUKUS programme, the government has announced.

The announcement comes as the government unveils its new Strategic Defence Review, which recommends that the UK military moves to “warfighting readiness” to deter the growing threats faced by the country.

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia which focuses on delivering securing in the Indo-Pacific region.

The expansion of the UK’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet will support 30,000 jobs across the country, as well as 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles over the next 10 years, the government said.

In line with the Strategic Defence Review, the recommendations of which the government expects to accept in full, the UK has committed to move to warfighting readiness to deter threats in the Euro Atlantic area.

Commitments including increasing stockpiles of munitions and equipment, ensuring that local production can scale up in response to war, the procurement of up to 7,000 long-range weapons, and the establishment of a new CyberEM Command to place the UK at the forefront of cyber warfare.

In addition to building 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines, the government will also invest £15 billion in the sovereign nuclear warhead programme this parliament, which it said will secure the future of the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Nuclear Deterrent.

The government cited a “triple lock commitment” to the fleet of submarines at sea armed with nuclear missiles, which comprises maintaining this fleet, building a new fleet of Dreadnought submarines, and delivering all future upgrades necessary to the programme.

“From the supply lines to the front lines, this government is foursquare behind the men and women upholding our nation’s freedom and security,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

“National security is the foundation of my Plan for Change, and this plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country.”

“This Strategic Defence Review will ensure the UK rises to the challenge and our Armed Forces have the equipment they need that keeps us safe at home while driving greater opportunity for our engineers, shipbuilders and technicians of the future.”

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