UK To Build Up To 12 Nuclear Submarines As Threat From Russia Grows

Britain will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered submarines amid rising global threats from the likes of Russia, Keir Starmer will announce on Monday.

The prime minister will say the commitment shows his government is “foursquare behind the men and women upholding our nation’s freedom and security”.

It will also provide a major boost to the UK economy, supporting 30,000 highly skilled jobs over the next 10 years, as well as 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles.

The announcement is a key part of the long-awaited strategic defence review (SDR), which is being published alongside it.

It is expected to recommend that Britain’s armed forces move to warfighting readiness to deter the growing military threats faced by the country. 

Defence secretary John Healey said on Sunday that “Russia is attacking the UK daily” in cyberspace.

Ministers have already unveiled plans to build at least six new munitions factories and thousands more long-range weapons as part of the SDR.

Starmer is expected to say: “From the supply lines to the front lines, this government is foursquare behind the men and women upholding our nation’s freedom and security.

“National security is the foundation of my plan for change, and this plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country.

“This strategic defence review will ensure the UK rises to the challenge and our armed forces have the equipment they need that keeps us safe at home while driving greater opportunity for our engineers, shipbuilders and technicians of the future.”

The new nuclear-powered and conventionally-armed submarines will form part of the AUKUS security partnership between the UK, Australia and the United States.

They are expected to come on stream in the late 2030s, and will replace the seven Astute Class attack submarines the UK currently has.

They are in addition to the four nuclear-armed Trident submarines which provide the UK’s continuous at-sea deterrent.

John Healey said: “Our outstanding submariners patrol 24/7 to keep us and our allies safe, but we know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression. 

“With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”