Submarines

Construction of the first SSN-AUKUS attack submarine is set to begin next year, according to the UK Defence Investment Plan. The document confirms the commitment to build up to 12 next-generation nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines for the Royal Navy. It states the UK will cut steel on the first boat next year and that these vessels will be the same class Australia will build under AUKUS. The plan also earmarks investment in weapons systems and sensors for underwater drones as the signature project under AUKUS Pillar 2. SSN-AUKUS is described as the successor to the Astute class, incorporating American and Australian technology under the trilateral partnership. The boats will be built by BAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness, with reactors manufactured by Rolls-Royce at Raynesway in Derby. The UK also reported that the fifth SSN-AUKUS reactor is already in manufacture, with Rolls-Royce starting work to double the Raynesway site capacity.