HMS Anson newest Astute-class nuclear submarine (photo : BAE Systems)
On Monday 13 March, as part of the AUKUS trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, it was announced that BAE Systems will play a key role in helping Australia to acquire its first nuclear-powered submarines.
The three nations will deliver a trilaterally developed submarine, based on the UK’s next-generation design, incorporating technology from all three nations. Australia and the UK will operate SSN-AUKUS, as their submarines of the future, with construction expected to begin this decade.
BAE Systems has delivered five Astute class submarines to the UK Royal Navy, with the final two boats at advanced stages of construction at its shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. The first three of four Dreadnought submarines are also under construction at the site and the Company’s engineers are undertaking early design work on the replacement for the Astute class under a £85m contract announced in September 2021.
More than £1bn has been invested to develop and expand infrastructure at Barrow over recent years, including £25m in a state of the art training academy. Since 2020, BAE Systems has recruited more than 1,300 apprentices and graduates into its UK Submarines business, with plans to recruit a further 1,000 early careers trainees this year as it continues to invest in skills to support the delivery of the UK’s submarines programmes.