The Defence Nuclear Enterprise 2026 Update to Parliament published this week confirms that steel will be cut on the first RN SSN-AUKUS submarine in 2027, but leaves the size of the fleet to be decided by the end of 2028. Here we examine the risks in that timing and how the 18-month build rate ties the attack submarine programme to the eventual replacement of the Dreadnought class. (From: Navy Lookout)
The SSN-AUKUS programme, being run jointly with Australia, has been in the Detailed Design and Long Lead (D2L2) phase since March 2023 and contracts worth around £4Bn have already been placed. On current plans, steel will be cut on the first UK boat in 2027, with the first RN submarine entering service in the late 2030s.
The full article is here.
