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UK awards $7.6 billion AUKUS sub design contract

The design of Australia’s nuclear attack submarine will begin after Britain signed contracts with three major defence suppliers.

AUKUS nuclear submarines' capability will be ‘transformational’ for Australia

Three British companies have been awarded $A7.6 billion for the design of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence said the funding to BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Babcock would progress the AUKUS program through the design and prototype of the attack subs.

“The signing … represents a significant milestone for both the UK and the trilateral AUKUS programme as a whole, in the lead up to build the future class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, known as SSN-AUKUS,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The SNN-AUKUS will be based on the technology of the US’s nuclear submarines, like the Virginia-class Montana. Picture: Supplied
The SNN-AUKUS will be based on the technology of the US’s nuclear submarines, like the Virginia-class Montana. Picture: Supplied

It comes after AUKUS leaders unveiled the joint submarine project last March in a deal that will see Australia replace its diesel-powered submarines with nuclear-powered ones that have far greater stealth and range.

The plan involves Australia purchasing US nuclear-powered submarines, and then building a new model with US and British technology.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised it as “the most important multilateral defence agreement for generations”.

In a separate statement, BAE Systems said that the future SSN-AUKUS “will be the largest, most powerful and most advanced submarine” supplied to the Royal Navy.

The British military equipment maker said the investment will “cover development work until 2028”, and the “recruitment of more than 5,000 people” at its Barrow-in-Furness site in northern England.

Rolls Royce will provide the nuclear reactors, while Babcock will provide input design under the five-year deal.

The first examples of this submarine are due to be delivered in the late 2030s. Nuclear-powered submarines are difficult to detect, can travel great distances for long periods, and can carry sophisticated cruise missiles.

“(The) submarines will empower the Royal Navy to maintain our strategic advantage under the sea,” UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said at the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Manchester.

With AFP

Originally published as UK awards $7.6 billion AUKUS sub design contract

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/world/uk-awards-76-billion-aukus-sub-design-contract/news-story/b07d7fc26e347827f37b85818ba0443d