"I think that the RN needs additional Astutes in these uncertain times as 7 boats is insufficient to have a presence where the UK has global interests. They may be gearing up to build more of them along side of the Dreadnought assembly."
Not possible I understand - Barrow can just about produce a submarine every 3 years or so. They don't have the manpower and certainly not the trained manpower to do any better - in fact they often do worse. The cost of a new line would be incredible. Construction of Astutes was timed to end as serious construction of the new SSBN's started. They have to be built first and in the meantime the Navy is looking at the design for the Astute successor
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news...Astute%2Dclass.
Our American friends often post about the problems they have with two constructors in getting vessels out on time.