UK to Build Up to 12 Nuclear Submarines Under Expanded AUKUS Program

The UK is significantly expanding its role in the AUKUS security partnership with plans to build up to 12 nuclear-powered submarines, up from the previously announced total of seven.

The update was published on the UK government’s official website.

The expansion is backed by a £15 billion investment tied to the country’s nuclear warhead development program.

The funding will support major segments of the UK’s defense nuclear industry and advance the government’s Plan for Change.

The submarine program is expected to directly support 30,000 skilled jobs nationwide by the 2030s, along with the creation of 30,000 apprenticeship slots and 14,000 graduate positions over the next decade.

An official announcement is expected on June 3, when the Prime Minister is scheduled to confirm the expanded procurement. This step will boost the Royal Navy’s long-term capabilities and further strengthen the UK’s shipbuilding sector.

AUKUS

SSN-AUKUS is a next-generation class of nuclear-powered attack submarines being developed under the AUKUS trilateral security agreement between the UK, Australia, and the United States.

The submarines are scheduled to enter service with the Royal Navy in the late 2030s and with the Royal Australian Navy in the early 2040s.

The class will replace the UK’s Astute-class and Australia’s Collins-class submarines.

The UK began developing a successor to the Astute class in 2018 under the Submersible Ship Nuclear Replacement (SSNR) program.

In March 2023, following Australia’s entry into the project and the integration of additional US technologies, the program was renamed SSN-AUKUS.

Australia plans to build five SSN-AUKUS submarines domestically and purchase three Virginia-class submarines from the US.

Once operational, British and Australian crews will conduct joint training, patrols, maintenance, and repair operations. The submarines will share components and spare parts sourced from the United States.

The vessels will feature pressurized water-cooled nuclear reactors manufactured by Rolls-Royce and are expected to displace more than 10,000 tons.