Programme EUSTON – floating dry docks for Royal Navy submarines
In this primer, we look at the plan to acquire floating dry docks for Royal Navy nuclear submarine maintenance at Faslane.
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Dreadnought class submarines
How Cammell Laird shipyard has re-emerged as a critical Royal Navy supplier
Although perhaps now better known for ship repair rather than shipbuilding, Cammell Laird and the wider APCL group is now heavily engaged in building sections for the Dreadnought submarine and Type 26 Frigate programs. Here we look at how this organisation has assumed a vital role in supporting the fleet and become a key enabler in major naval projects.More
SSGNs and SSKs? Imagining an expanded Royal Navy submarine service
A recent paper produced by the Council on Geostrategy suggested that the RN should buy at least one additional Dreadnought-class submarine reconfigured as an SSGN to launch conventionally armed missiles. Here we consider this proposal and other options for increasing the submarine force strength.
Royal Navy nuclear deterrent submarines conducting increasingly long patrols
On 11th September a Vanguard-class submarine returned home to Faslane following a patrol lasting 195 days. Here we look at the background and implications of these extended periods at sea.
Progress on the Royal Navy’s Dreadnought class submarine programme
The first of Britain’s new nuclear deterrent submarines, HMS Dreadnought has now been under construction for over 4 years. Although still relatively early days and available information is inevitably limited, some further details of the boat’s design and progress on this vast project have emerged since our first article on the subject in 2017.
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Upgrading the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine support facilities
Plans to convert another dry dock in Devonport to refit the Dreadnought class submarines were recently revealed in an outline planning application. Here we examine the context and reasons for the upgrade.
The future of Royal Navy attack submarines
On 6th February the Minister for Defence Procurement confirmed in Parliament that all 7 Astute class submarines would be completed by the end of 2026, despite the serious delay to the delivery of HMS Audacious. Here we look at the submarine programme in the medium-long term.
Trouble ahead for the UK nuclear programme?
Yesterday the Nuclear Information Service published their report “Trouble ahead risks and rising Costs in the UK nuclear weapons programme”. This is a brief response to some of the points and recommendations made in the report.
Royal Navy celebrates 50 years of continuous at sea deterrent patrols
2019 is a landmark year in the history of the Royal Navy. For fifty years submarines have conducted Operation Relentless, carrying the UK’s nuclear deterrent to sea. To mark the achievement a series of high-profile public events will be held this year.More