This, frankly, seems like political bollocks - making promises the government after next can’t keep.
The government says it wants to build a force of 12 SSN-A by the “late 2030s” to replace Astute.
SSN-A hasn’t been fully designed yet, though RR has been contracted to start building reactors for the UK and Australia and any increased production will be difficult. But let’s take it at face value and assume production will start in 2027 and, at best, construction (let alone trials and commissioning`) will take 5 years (the time the US aim to take to build a Virginia class).
The current hall is sized to build one Vanguard and 2 Astute at a time.
Assume a roll out of the first SSN-A in 2032. With another SSN-A sub rolling off the line each 18 months they have to start another every 18 months. That means by the time the first nears completion, they will need to have 4 to 5 SSN plus a Dreadnaught under construction by 2032.
Where are they supposed to build them? Does anyone think they can recruit and train the type of experienced welders and engineers in that timescale?
Note also the present Astute/Dreadnaught production facilities and rate are designed to allow the current design and production force to remain stable for decades as replacements are build to prevent a recurrence of the problems between the design and construction of Trafalgar/Vangaurd and Astute/Dreadnaught.
Is this in any way feasible?
https://www.deeside.com/uk-outlines-...asing-threats/
UK outlines plans to build 12 new nuclear submarines in response to ”rapidly increasing threats”
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The government says the industrial base will be expanded to deliver one new submarine every 18 months.”……
https://archive.ph/t8OWp
Britain to build a dozen nuclear submarines as forces arm for war
“A submarine will be built every 18 months, replacing all seven Astute class submarines by the late-2030s, the Ministry of Defence said.
The announcement will also trigger a major expansion of industrial capability at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and Ranesway in Derby. The MoD said it was working with the defence industry to ensure there was a rapid expansion in training and development opportunities.
The government’s target is to double the intake for its nuclear programmes, civil and defence, to 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles over the next ten years.”……