UK Invests $4.8B in Nuclear Submarine Collaboration Project with Australia, US

Recently, British government officials confirmed significant investment in an advanced submarine project.

In a substantial stride towards bolstering its naval capabilities, Britain has committed to a monumental 4-billion-euro ($4.8 billion) investment in the next phase of the SSN-AUKUS next-generation attack submarine project.

The contracts have been inked with leading British firms BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Babcock. This collaborative effort is a pivotal element of the AUKUS military alliance, uniting the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom in a concerted bid to counterbalance China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Strategic Empowerment for the Royal Navy

Speaking at the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Manchester, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps emphasized the transformative impact of these submarines on the Royal Navy’s strategic prowess beneath the waves. He affirmed, “(The) submarines will empower the Royal Navy to maintain our strategic advantage under the sea.”

This momentous endeavor stems from the groundbreaking AUKUS initiative unveiled by leaders of the three nations in March.

The partnership will entail Australia transitioning from conventional diesel-powered submarines to nuclear-powered counterparts, characterized by enhanced stealth capabilities and extended operational range.

The design phase of the next-generation AUKUS submarine is now underway.

A new £4 billion contract has been awarded to progress the design and development of one of the most advanced submarines in the world, supporting thousands of highly skilled UK jobs https://t.co/L84cvyt8fR pic.twitter.com/JMZo2gnyRa

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) October 1, 2023

Praise from British Prime Minister

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak lauded this venture as “the most important multilateral defense agreement for generations.”

Notably, BAE Systems highlighted that the forthcoming SSN-AUKUS submarine would stand as the largest, most potent, and technologically advanced addition to the Royal Navy’s arsenal.

The investment’s purview encompasses the funding of development activities through 2028, along with the recruitment of over 5,000 personnel at BAE Systems’ Barrow-in-Furness site in northern England.

Timeline and Capabilities

Anticipated to debut in the late 2030s and replace the current Astute-Class vessels in the Royal Navy, these nuclear-powered submarines are poised to revolutionize maritime warfare.

Its design is a combination of a British submarine structure equipped with US defense technology to serve as the future attack submarine for both the UK and Australia. They reportedly possess unparalleled stealth capabilities capable of traversing vast distances for prolonged durations and house sophisticated cruise missile systems.

While the UK aims to see its first such submarine entering its service in the late 2030s, Australia, on the other hand, is still gearing up to construct the necessary shipyard infrastructure in Osborne, South Australia, this year. Accordingly, the Australian Navy expects to welcome its first Australian-built SSN-AUKUS submarine into service in the early 2040s.

Today MoD announced it has awarded a 5-year £3.95 billion contract for the next phase of SSN-AUKUS Submarine design to @BAES_Maritime

Will cover development work to 2028 enabling move into the detailed design phase and procurement of long-lead items.#AUKUS 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/1SIMInH8uO

— Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) October 1, 2023

AUKUS Milestones

This landmark allocation of resources follows the joint announcement earlier this year, wherein leaders from Australia, the US, and the UK delineated the specific objectives for the three nations over the next two decades.

The SSN-AUKUS initiative marks the focal point of the program’s third phase, following the initial deployment of US and UK nuclear submarines to western Australia, and the subsequent phase involves the sale of up to five Virginia-class submarines by the US.

In a recent interview with USNI News, the British Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord Admiral Ben Key underscored the pivotal role played by Australia’s industrial capacity in the development of SSN-AUKUS attack submarines.

“The more detailed planning that will allow Australians to create a nuclear submarine building capability whilst also ensuring that we move to them gaining SSN-AUKUS,” Adm. Key remarked.

Australia’s Path Forward

For Australia, the establishment of a robust domestic industrial base remains the primary hurdle in forging an independent submarine program.

Royal Australian Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond highlighted the paramount importance of earning trust in nuclear technology. He told USNI News:

“The big lift is making sure that we can manage and steward the nuclear ocean piece you can’t fake that you’ve got to earn the trust [from your partners].”

Hammond also emphasizes the need for Australians to enhance their skills in nuclear power for submarines, considering its existing proficiency in submarine operations focuses on non-nuclear.

He acknowledged that the key challenge lies in mastering nuclear technology. Nonetheless, with a short training period, Hammond believes Australians can effectively handle advanced submarines like the Virginia-class in no time, showcasing their competence in submarine operations.

US Regulatory Challenges

In the United States, both the Pentagon and Congress are currently engaged in formulating the legislative and regulatory framework necessary to facilitate technology transfers for the development of SSN-AUKUS submarines for both Australia and the United Kingdom.

Admiral Key emphasized the need for comprehensive nuclear stewardship, noting:

“Understanding how it is that we create an ability for Australia to exercise full and comprehensive nuclear stewardship in the way that we seek… is a really important part of this journey.”

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The £4 billion investment in the SSN-AUKUS initiative represents a transformative stride towards reinforcing the maritime capabilities of the AUKUS alliance. With the delivery of the first submarines anticipated in the late 2030s, these advanced vessels promise to redefine naval warfare dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.