Originally Posted by
SLXOwft
So assuminglate 30s Agammemnon and Achilles will be decommissioned less than 15 years after commissioning. For the Trafalgars all lasted 25-30+ years, apart from Swiftsure herself (for specific reasons) they all made it to 20+ years in commission before falling prey to defence cuts.
Assuming delivery of the first successor SSN will be late 30s - even if they do get 18 months between deliveries, and all 12 boats, then you are looking at an 18 year build program, so the later Astutes may be in service into the 2050s