Britain Plans 12 SSN-AUKUS Attack Submarines From a BAE Systems Yard Already Over Capacity, Plus 5 for Australia, at One Boat Every 18 Months

Britain’s Royal Navy says it plans to build 12 SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarines for itself, plus five for Australia, targeting delivery at a rate of one boat every 18 months from BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. The plan comes despite a Parliamentary inquiry finding the Barrow yard is already over capacity, with steel for the first vessel scheduled to be cut next year and both London and Canberra expecting arrivals in the late 2030s or early 2040s. The Royal Navy currently maintains five Astute-class submarines, but only two UK shipyards are certified for nuclear submarines, straining resources alongside the Vanguard ballistic-missile fleet.