The British Ministry of Defense has BAE Systems with the next phase of the UK’s next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine program (SSN-AUKUS). The contract is worth 4.57 billion euros.
SSN-AUKUS will be the largest and most advanced attack submarine operated by the Royal Navy and will replace the Astute class, which is also being built by BAE Systems. The funding follows the AUKUS announcement in March by the Heads of State and Government of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. It will see Australia and the UK operate SSN-AUKUS submarines that will incorporate technologies from all three nations, including state-of-the-art US submarine technologies. Following the commencement of development work in 2021 the funding will cover development work until 2028, allowing BAE Systems to enter the design phase of the program and begin long lead time component procurement. Production is then expected to begin towards the end of the decade, with the first SSN-AUKUS boat delivered in the late 2030s. https://militaeraktuell.at/leonardos-aw169-ist-nun-noch-leistungsfaehiger/ Commenting on the investment, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said: “This multi-billion investment will help deliver the long-term hunter-killer submarine capability the UK needs to maintain its strategic advantage and secure its leading position in a contested global order.” Of the Astute class, BAE Systems has already delivered five of seven submarines to the Royal Navy, with the remaining two boats at an advanced stage of construction. The company is also designing and building the next generation of British submarines, Dreadnought. For this class, work has already begun on three of the four new boats.
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