Britain to expand attack submarine fleet

The UK government has announced plans to almost double its fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines as part of a Strategic Defence Review aimed at addressing rising global threats

SSN-AUKUS: UK next generation attack submarine developed in partnership with U.S. and Australia

Displacement: 10,000 tonnes

Pump-jet propulsor
X-form control surfaces
Nuclear reactor
Electric drive
Forward tubes
For torpedoes and other horizontally- fired weapons
Length 120m* 
Vertical launch system: For cruise missiles and possibly hypersonic missiles
*Estimate


ASTUTE CLASS: Royal Navy’s current fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines
Displacement: 7,400 tonnes
Armament: Six tubes for Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles
Propulsion: Rolls-Royce PWR2 reactor
Length: 97m 


UK SUBMARINE FLEET Vanguard class (nuclear missile-armed): 4
Astute class: 5 (two more to enter service by end of 2026)
SSN-AUKUS: Up to 12 planned (to replace Astute class from late 2030s) 


Sources: BBC, H I Sutton, Royal Navy, UK Defence Forum © GRAPHIC NEWS