Dreadnought-class submarine
It is intended to deter a potential enemy because they cannot ensure eliminating the entire stockpile in a first strike if a ballistic missile submarine remains undetected.[11] The majority of this system is based in Scotland at HMNB Clyde (HMS Neptune), which includes the Faslane home of the Vanguard submarines, and at RNAD Coulport on Loch Long.[16] In May 2011 the government approved the initial assessment phase for the new submarines and authorised the purchase of long lead-time items including steel for the hulls.[22] These costs do not include the related Trident missile renewal, new infrastructure projects at the re-nationalised Atomic Weapons Establishment, and new nuclear fuel production facilities at Rolls-Royce.[22] Crispin Blunt, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, estimated in July 2016 that the renewed deterrent lifetime cost would be £179 billion.[23] A January 2018, the National Audit Office expressed concern about the programme's spending profile, including that it was "unaffordable in the early years of the project" within the MOD allocated budget.[26] Although PWR2 and PWR2b (a derivative with improvements) designs were considered, the PWR3 was chosen for easier operations, longer service life and reduced maintenance costs, with 30% fewer parts.[37] However, the Ministry of Defence commented that "the Dreadnought programme remains on track to deliver to schedule, with the first in class expected to enter service in the early 2030s.[28] In January 2025, Rolls Royce was awarded a £9 billion contract by the MOD, covering research, design, manufacture and support of all nuclear reactors in Royal Navy submarines.
HMS DreadnoughtBAE SystemsBarrow-in-FurnessRoyal NavyVanguard classNuclear-poweredballistic missile submarineRolls-Royce PWR3nuclear reactorpump-jet21 inch (533 mm)torpedo tubesSpearfishLockheed Trident II D5ballistic missile submarinesTrident II D-5deterrentTrident systemTrident missileTrident (UK nuclear programme)Royal Air ForceWE.177first strikeStrategic Defence ReviewVanguard-classTrident missilesScotlandHMNB ClydeFaslaneRNAD CoulportLoch LongStrategic Defence and Security Review 2010Strategic Defence and Security Review 20152021 Integrated ReviewConservative PartyHouse of CommonsCampaign for Nuclear DisarmamentTrident PloughsharesMinistry of DefenceDefence Equipment and SupportRolls RoyceAtomic Weapons EstablishmentNuclear Information ServiceCrispin BluntForeign Affairs Select CommitteeNational Audit Office2018 budget2020 Spending ReviewRolls-RoycePressurised Water Reactorrudderspumpjetfly-by-wireSonar 2076Columbia-classBAE Systems SubmarinesCammell LairdBirkenheadAstute class submarinesdock hallThalesoptronic mastsGeneral Dynamics Mission SystemsBabcockRosythBristolNorthrop GrummanRoyal Navy submarinesJohn HealeyDreadnoughtValiantWarspiteFuture of the Royal NavyLetters of last resortList of submarines of the Royal NavyList of submarine classes of the Royal NavyNuclear weapons and the United KingdomRoyal Navy Submarine ServiceSubmarine-launched ballistic missileUnited Kingdom and weapons of mass destructionGov.ukNorth West Evening MailDefence CommitteeResolution classattack submarinesValiant classChurchill classSwiftsure classTrafalgar classAstute classAmphion classPorpoise classOberon classUpholder classMeteoriteExplorer classMidget submarinesStickleback classUnited KingdomTimelineV bomber forceVickers ValiantAvro VulcanHandley Page VictorBlue SteelSkyboltBlue DanubeRed BeardYellow SunMk.1 atom bombViolet ClubOrange HeraldGreen BambooGreen GrassRed SnowBlue StreakRAF SpadeadamUlyssesPolarisResolution-class submarinePolaris A3T and A3TKET.317Chevaline upgradeTridentVanguard-class submarineTrident II D5