U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deliver remarks on the Australia - United Kingdom - U.S. (AUKUS) partnership, after a trilateral meeting, at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California U.S. March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo
By Dasha Afanasieva
Oct 1, 2023 (Bloomberg) –Britain’s Ministry of Defence has awarded almost £4 billion ($4.9 billion) in funding to BAE Systems Plc for the next phase of the UK’s nuclear-powered attack submarine program.
The award follows the leaders of Australia, the UK and the US in March committing to collaborate on the submarine fleet — an effort to stifle China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
The program, known as SSN-AUKUS, will be the largest, most powerful and advanced attack submarines the Royal Navy has ever operated, BAE Systems said in a statement Sunday.
Related Article: AUKUS Powers Up: HII And Babcock Join Forces On Nuclear Projects
Secretary of Defence Grant Shapps announced the investment as he talked up Britain’s military credentials on the first day of the Conservative Party conference.
Having started design work in 2021, the sum will cover development work to 2028. Manufacturing will start toward the end of the decade with the first SSN-AUKUS boat due to be delivered in the late 2030s.
The award will also fund significant infrastructure investment at BAE Systems’ site in Barrow-in-Furness, investment in its supply chain and recruitment of more than 5,000 people.
“This funding reinforces the government’s support to our UK submarine enterprise and allows us to mature the design, and invest in critical skills and infrastructure to support our long-term national security,” BAE Systems Chief Executive Charles Woodburn said.
The UK’s submarine programs will employ 12,500 people, including around 900 apprentices and graduates, by the end of this year.
The business plans to recruit an additional 2,700 people next year, which will include a further 900 apprentices and graduates, providing a significant employment boost for the region.
© 2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,887 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
WASHINGTON, April 25 (Reuters) – The U.S. military has started constructing a maritime pier that will allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the Pentagon said on Friday, a move that had been expected,...
The Royal Navy warship HMS Diamond successfully shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile targeting a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden, marking the first time a Royal Navy warship...
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on over a dozen entities, individuals, and ships for their role in the clandestine sale of Iranian unmanned...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,887 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
