Dreadnought-class submarine program
UK Royal Navy program to build 4 Dreadnought-class ballistic-missile submarines (Dreadnought, Valiant, Warspite, King George VI), replacing the Vanguard class; BAE Systems is the build contractor at Barrow-in-Furness.
The Dreadnought-class submarine program is the UK Royal Navy's effort to build four ballistic-missile submarines (HMS Dreadnought, Valiant, Warspite, and King George VI), replacing the Vanguard class as the platform for Britain's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent. BAE Systems builds the boats at Barrow-in-Furness; in July 2026 the UK government funded Delivery Phase 4 at GBP8.4 billion (~$11.3B) — GBP5.9B direct to BAE Systems plus GBP2.5B for supply-chain long-lead components — supporting an estimated 47,000 jobs nationally.
Program detail
- Agency
- UK Ministry of Defence
- Acronym
- Budget
- GBP8.4B (~$11.3B) Delivery Phase 4, announced Jul 2026: GBP5.9B direct to BAE Systems, GBP2.5B for supply chain/long-lead components
- Phase
- Delivery Phase 4 funded Jul 2026; HMS Dreadnought (lead boat) progressing to sea trials for early-2030s in-service date
- Domain
- Ballistic-missile submarines / nuclear deterrent
Contracts0
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Frequently asked
- What is Dreadnought-class submarine program?
- The Dreadnought-class submarine program is the UK Royal Navy's effort to build four ballistic-missile submarines (HMS Dreadnought, Valiant, Warspite, and King George VI), replacing the Vanguard class as the platform for Britain's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent. BAE Systems builds the boats at Barrow-in-Furness; in July 2026 the UK government funded Delivery Phase 4 at GBP8.4 billion (~$11.3B) — GBP5.9B direct to BAE Systems plus GBP2.5B for supply-chain long-lead components — supporting an estimated 47,000 jobs nationally.
- Which agency runs Dreadnought-class submarine program?
- Dreadnought-class submarine program is run by UK Ministry of Defence.
- What is the budget for Dreadnought-class submarine program?
- Dreadnought-class submarine program has a budget of GBP8.4B (~$11.3B) Delivery Phase 4, announced Jul 2026: GBP5.9B direct to BAE Systems, GBP2.5B for supply chain/long-lead components, currently in its Delivery Phase 4 funded Jul 2026; HMS Dreadnought (lead boat) progressing to sea trials for early-2030s in-service date phase.
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