£2bn Dreadnought submarine deals signed with BAE and Rolls-Royce

BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce have been awarded more than £2bn to begin the third major phase of the future submarine nuclear deterrent programme, Dreadnought.

With the overall programme supporting around 30,000 jobs across the UK, from design through to build, Delivery Phase 3 (DP3) represents the most significant stage of the Dreadnought programme so far.

In 2021 alone, the programme supported around 13,500 jobs in the Northwest of England and a further 16,300 over the rest of the UK.

The investment is the latest financial commitment between the Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, and is the initial investment within a planned overall total of nearly £10bn for the whole delivery phase.

DP3 will see the first of four submarines, HMS Dreadnought, exit the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard to begin sea trials, laying the foundation to sustain the Continuous at Sea Deterrence (CASD) for as long as the international security situation makes it necessary.

Managing director of BAE Systems Submarines, Steve Timms commented: We take great pride in designing and delivering one of the world’s most advanced engineering programmes and helping to protect national security.

Today’s funding announcement allows us to maintain the Dreadnought programme’s progress and continue investing in the infrastructure and skills needed to deliver these highly complex submarines to the Royal Navy.

As the largest Class of submarine ever built for the Royal Navy, each will have 26.4 miles of pipework and more than 20,000 cables stretching 215 miles.

President of Rolls-Royce Submarines, Steve Carlier said: “Since 1969, Rolls-Royce has proudly provided the nuclear power and expertise that keeps the UK’s continuous nuclear deterrent at sea. This latest contract is a welcome sign of the UK’s ongoing commitment to the Submarines Enterprise and all the jobs around the UK that support it.”

The four Dreadnought-Class submarines will maintain the CASD, responsible for safeguarding UK national security.

BAE Systems
www.baesystems.com

Rolls-Royce
www.rolls-royce.com