The UK government has postponed a decision on the number of next-generation nuclear attack submarines it intends to build until 2028, raising concerns among defence experts that delays could undermine Britain’s ability to maintain its undersea fleet as global security risks intensify.
Sir Keir Starmer pledged last year to build “up to 12” SSN-A nuclear-powered attack submarines under the Aukus security partnership with Australia and the US. But the government’s long-awaited Defence Investment Plan has stopped short of confirming how many vessels will ultimately be ordered.
Wes Streeting, the Defence Secretary, told Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge that the government would not settle the question until the submarine programme’s design phase was completed.
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“The DIP clearly sets out our intention to buy up to 12 SSN-A submarines, but a decision on exact hull numbers does not need to be taken at this stage.
“The programme is currently midway through its design phase and we anticipate that the number of submarines will be confirmed before the end of this phase in 2028.”
Streeting said Britain would have the capacity to manufacture a submarine every 18 months from the “mid-2030s” and argued that postponing the decision would not affect the vessels’ eventual entry into service.
Cartlidge described the delay as “a shambles”, arguing that the government was taking too long to respond to a deteriorating international security environment.
“When Labour published their strategic defence review, the headline announcement was their plan to buy ‘up to 12’ submarines.”
“I could say I want to buy up to 12 Ferraris, but if I don’t have the money, I won’t get any.”
“The actual number of submarines was meant to be confirmed in the [long-delayed Dip], but this was months late and left us none the wiser.”
“Finally, Wes Streeting has had to admit Labour won’t be able to tell us the answer until 2028. This is a shambles.”
“The threats are rising, and the world is becoming more dangerous, but Labour need three years simply to decide how many submarines they are planning to buy – let alone to start building any. This is not serious.”
The dispute comes as the government faces wider criticism over defence spending. Burnham has yet to set a firm target for increasing defence expenditure to 3% of GDP, while former defence secretary John Healey resigned from the cabinet after disagreements over the government’s defence plans.
The SSN-A fleet is intended to replace the Royal Navy’s five Astute-class attack submarines, with the new vessels expected to enter service towards the end of the next decade.
That timetable has raised concerns over the ageing existing fleet. HMS Astute, the oldest vessel, is already 16 years old and could remain in service beyond its intended 25-year lifespan if replacements are delayed.
Admiral Lord Alan West, a former Navy chief and Falklands veteran, called the government’s position “extraordinarily disappointing”.
“If you don’t get your order in quickly, you’ve got a problem downstream and waiting until 2028 is too late. The shipyards and all the businesses that provide parts all these people need to know. These timescales mean that’s got to be done, and not doing it is a disgrace.”
“It seems to me the Government has forgotten how important maritime power is to our nation.”
Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe accused ministers of conducting a “can-kicking exercise” that risked further weakening Britain’s defences.
The Ministry of Defence said its commitment remained unchanged.
Our commitment to building up to 12 next-generation attack submarines, as set out in the DIP, is unchanged.
“A decision on exact numbers does not need to be taken at this stage, with no impact on the delivery schedule.”
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