Four submarines of what is said to be the largest in Royal Navy history will be built. They are designed to replace the UK’s current Vanguard submarines in the early 2030s by carrying the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent.
A Vanguard submarine is currently at sea, avoiding detection at all times to ensure Britain has a nuclear shield in place.
However, the Vanguard’s submarines have already been extended three times and the government is reluctant to investigate a fourth.
As a result, national security has a huge impact on whether the dreadnought submarines arrive on time.
However, a construction phase has been delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.
The submarines are being built at a site in Barrow that employed around 9,000 workers prior to the pandemic.
However, when the lockdown rules were introduced last March, construction needs to be reduced significantly.
It’s now back to 95 percent of prepandemic and the submarines are expected to be delivered on time.
However, there are concerns that the phase delay could affect the final delivery time, especially if further coronavirus-related disruptions emerge.
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Mr Leckie claimed £ 1 billion was invested in submarine buildings in Barrow.
He added, “A billion is buying a significant amount of infrastructure that will allow us to increase efficiency and productivity.
“We have a system that takes flat steel at one end and produces submarines at the other.”
Earlier this month the government released its Integrated Defense Review on the UK’s future defense.
Overall defense spending is expected to receive a significant boost, again with a focus on cyber war, space and drones.
However, the regular army is facing an average of 10,000 soldiers.
As part of the review, the UK’s nuclear weapons stocks, which should have dropped to 180, will be increased to 260.
The document concluded that the cut was “no longer possible” due to the evolving security environment over the past decade.
It insisted that Britain must maintain “the minimum destructive force necessary to ensure that Britain’s nuclear deterrent remains credible”.
The Royal Navy is also expected to receive eight new Type 26 frigates, five Type 31 frigates and an unknown number of Type 32 frigates.
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