Dreadnought submarine programme
Dreadnought is the replacement programme for the Royal Navy’s Trident missile Vanguard Class submarines which form the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety and that of our NATO Allies.
Since April 1969, there has always been at least one Royal Navy nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine patrolling the seas undetected. The purpose of our Continuous At Sea Deterrent is to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression.
The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent works every hour of every day to guarantee our safety and that of our NATO Allies, with our adversaries knowing that any benefit they may gain from attacking us will be outweighed by the consequences for them.
Since 1992 the 4 submarines of the Vanguard Class have maintained our nuclear deterrent, and a new class of submarine - the Dreadnought Class - will enter service in the early 2030s.
These new submarines, designed and built in the UK, will submarines will be some of the most advanced machines ever built, employing world-leading and cutting-edge technology to deliver an extremely capable and intensely formidable capability. They will ensure the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent can be delivered for as long as the global security situation makes it necessary.
Watch the Dreadnought submarine programme video for more information.
Read the full video transcript.
Read more on the Dreadnought submarine programme factsheet.
Factsheet
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Published 28 October 2016Last updated 16 March 2021 + show all updates
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Updated the page content with the latest information and added a transcript for the video.
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First published.