Archive · 30 Jul 2026
UK Invests £8.4bn in Dreadnought Submarine Programme for Jobs
The UK government is putting £8.4 billion into a new class of nuclear submarines called the Dreadnought.
BAE Systems, a big shipbuilder, will get most of the money to build four submarines.
The plan will help 47,000 people get jobs or learn new skills.
The first submarine, HMS Dreadnought, will finish sea tests soon, and the second, HMS Valiant, will also start testing.
The submarines will be ready for the Royal Navy in the early 2030s, keeping the country safe.
UK government announced £8.4bn funding for the next phase of the Dreadnought nuclear submarine programme.
BAE Systems will receive £5.9bn, with the rest supporting the supply chain and 47,000 jobs/apprenticeships.
Funding aims to complete sea trials of HMS Dreadnought and HMS Valiant, with all four submarines ready by early 2030s.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham highlighted job creation and youth apprenticeship opportunities during a visit to the Barrow shipyard.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the investment secures the commitment to deliver submarines by backing British industry.
- Who
- UK government, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, BAE Systems
- What
- £8.4bn investment in the Dreadnought nuclear submarine programme
- When
- Announced Wednesday; funding to support next phase and sea trials in early 2030s
- Where
- Barrow shipyard, northwestern England
- Why
- To strengthen the nuclear deterrent, create jobs and apprenticeships, and meet defence commitments
- Investment amount
- £8.4bn
- Submarines
- 4 Dreadnought Class
- Jobs and apprenticeships
- 47,000
- BAE Systems funding
- £5.9bn
- Sea trials
- HMS Dreadnought and HMS Valiant
- Completion
- Early 2030s
- Location
- Barrow, England