IRIA News

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The United Kingdom started the construction of its new Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarine. The keel laying ceremony of the UK Royal Navy’s most powerful and technically advanced submarine was held at the BAE Systems’ Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.

Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Submarines business, Steve Timms highlighted the importance of the event and said, “Laying the keel for the first of class, HMS Dreadnought, is an incredibly proud moment for everyone across the Company, Defence Nuclear Enterprise, and Royal Navy. It comes as the boat’s last major unit prepares to make its way into the Devonshire Dock Hall for final integration, demonstrating the progress made across the program to date.”

He added, “Our collective role in maintaining Continuous at Sea Deterrence is our most critical responsibility. It’s a truly national endeavor vital to safeguarding our way of life, as well as making a significant contribution to local and national prosperity. I’m proud that thousands of our highly skilled people are at the heart of today’s achievement.”

The keel laying ceremony was attended by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey, marking a major milestone in the effort to sustain the UK’s Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD) and safeguard national security.

British Prime Minister Starmer said, “It’s an honor to be in Barrow to lay the keel for the next generation of nuclear-armed submarines. These boats will protect our people and Allies from the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life for future generations.”

Starmer further highlighted, “Investing in the British defense industry, underpinned by companies like BAE Systems, is at the heart of my government’s commitment to national and economic security as part of our Plan for Change. This investment is supporting good, secure jobs and putting money in the pockets of working people.

“The people of Barrow, and the submarines manufactured here, have been an integral part of our deterrent capability for decades. We will continue to foster that innovation and industrial excellence to protect the UK for the decades to come,” he added.

UK’s First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Ben Key, also attended the ceremony and noted, “Since April 1969, Royal Navy submariners have been proud to deliver the Continuous at Sea Deterrent, maintaining at least one nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine on patrol, ready to respond to the most extreme threats to the UK.”

Admiral Sir Ben Key added, “Whilst the Vanguard Class of submarines continues to deliver CASD today, the Royal Navy is greatly looking forward to operating highly sophisticated and advanced Dreadnought Class submarines. This keel laying ceremony is considered the ‘birth’ of a vessel and I congratulate all those involved across the Alliance for reaching this important milestone in the life of HMS Dreadnought and look forward to bringing this exciting and highly capable submarine into service.”

HMS Dreadnaught Submarine

HMS Dreadnought is the first of four Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines, currently being designed and built by BAE Systems in Cumbria. These submarines will replace the Royal Navy’s existing Vanguard-class fleet.

The Dreadnought-class submarines will be 153.6 meters in length, roughly equivalent to three Olympic swimming pools, the largest ever operated by the Royal Navy. Advancements in technology, evolving security threats, and modernized design and manufacturing processes make these vessels a significant upgrade over their predecessors. The project is also one of the most complex engineering undertakings globally.

The Dreadnought Alliance, a collaboration between BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and the Ministry of Defence’s Submarine Delivery Agency, oversees the development of the UK’s next-generation nuclear deterrent platform.

The Dreadnought-class submarines are scheduled to enter service in the early 2030s, ensuring a seamless transition from the Vanguard-class submarines while maintaining CASD.

As part of the Government’s Nuclear Skills Plan initiative, the workforce at the Barrow shipyard has expanded by over 3,000 since 2023, reaching a total of 14,700 personnel. This number is expected to grow further as work progresses on both the Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS programs. Over the program’s lifespan, it is anticipated to support around 30,000 jobs across the UK.

To enhance efficiency and capacity for the Dreadnought program, more than £1 billion has been invested in modernizing the Barrow shipyard. This redevelopment ensures the facility remains equipped to build cutting-edge submarines for the Royal Navy for years to come.

BAE Systems expects to spend approximately £7.5 billion with 1,500 suppliers across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, reinforcing the program’s economic benefits throughout the UK.