HMS Dreadnought Submarine A Step Closer To Launch

HMS Dreadnought, the first of four Royal Navy next-generation ballistic missile submarines which will carry Britain’s independent nuclear deterrent, has moved a symbolic step closer to completion.

Yesterday’s (Thursday’s) keel-laying ceremony at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, was attended by U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey, as well as a host of other navy, government and civilian dignitaries.

While the ceremony itself was symbolic — given that the vessels are constructed in sections, many of which are largely complete — it still signalled progress towards the new submarine’s eventual launch and subsequent deployment.

Previously the only official line from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had been that she would be in service “in the 2030s” but recent media reports have suggested she may be ready to enter service as early as the end of 2032.

An MoD spokesman today commented: “The Dreadnought programme remains on track for the First of Class, HMS Dreadnought, to enter service in the early 2030s. The planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces."

The press statement from BAE Systems also noted: “The Dreadnought Class will begin to enter service in the early 2030s.”

The 150-metre-plus Dreadnought-class submarines will be the largest ever built for the Royal Navy, displacing more than 17,000 tonnes. Each boat will have more than 26 miles of pipework and in excess of 200 miles of cabling supplying well in excess of 12,000 separate electrical systems.

Four submarines are being built by BAE systems and subcontractors at a combined cost of at least £31 billion. They will be propelled by nuclear reactors supplied by Rolls-Royce, and will carry the Trident II ballistic missiles which form the U.K.’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD); each projectile has up to eight nuclear warheads.

Like their Vanguard-class predecessors, the Dreadnought-class submarines’ range and sailing duration will be limited only by food supplies and mechanical integrity. They will also carry the Spearfish heavyweight torpedo, which has a range of up to 35 nautical miles.

The boats have been designed from first principles to each have a service life of up to 40 years. As well as HMS Dreadnought, work has already begun on Valiant and Warspite; the fourth boat, King George VI, will follow later.

Steve Timms, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Submarines business, commented: “Laying the keel for the first of class, HMS Dreadnought, is an incredibly proud moment for everyone across the company, Defence Nuclear Enterprise and Royal Navy.

“It comes as the boat's last major unit prepares to make its way into the Devonshire Dock Hall for final integration, demonstrating the progress made across the programme to date.”

Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, said: “Whilst the Vanguard Class of submarines continues to deliver CASD today, the Royal Navy is greatly looking forward to operating highly sophisticated and advanced Dreadnought-class submarines.

“This keel-laying ceremony is considered the ‘birth’ of a vessel and I congratulate all those involved across the Alliance for reaching this important milestone in the life of HMS Dreadnought and look forward to bringing this exciting and highly capable submarine into service.”

• You can read more details about the ceremony on the BAE website