UK announces huge contract for nuclear submarine project

Following the agreement signed by the leaders of the UK, US and Australia (AUKUS) in March, the UK Ministry of Defence has just announced the award of a £4 billion contract (VND 118,494 billion) to BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Babcock to begin the design and development phase of a new generation attack submarine called SSN-AUKUS. This class of submarine will be nuclear-powered and use conventional weapons.

Model photo of SSN-AUKUS ship

The Ministry of Defence said in a statement that SSNAUKUS will be the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarine in the Navy's fleet, incorporating world-leading sensors, designs and weapons. The new contract will fund development until 2028, including design, prototype building, procurement of major components and infrastructure. The submarines will be built primarily at the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness in the north-west of the country. The funding will also support the employment of more than 5,000 people.

The AUKUS cooperation framework was established in September 2021 to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines to replace its old diesel-electric class. According to AFP, Australia will buy nuclear-powered submarines from the US and build a new generation of submarines with US and British technology. The UK plans to deploy the first SSN-AUKUS in the late 2030s while Australia plans to have the ship in the early 2040s. According to a joint statement by the three countries in March, this submarine development agreement will enhance the ability to deter aggression and contribute to stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally.

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