First glimpse of Royal Navy's new nuclear submarines

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ubmarines.html

First glimpse of new nuclear submarines

The boats are designed to be amongst the stealthiest in the world and the image, created by the design team working on the new vessels, shows a submarine built with sweeping curves

The image was included on the cover of the second annual report to MPs about developments in the Successor Submarine programme

Defence bosses have revealed the first glimpse at the future of Britain's nuclear deterrent today, publishing the first artist's impression of the submarines due to replace the Vanguard-class boats which carry Trident missiles.

The image was included on the cover of the second annual report to MPs about developments in the Successor Submarine programme.

The boats are designed to be amongst the stealthiest in the world and the image, created by the design team working on the new vessels, shows a submarine built with sweeping curves.

In the report to MPs, the Ministry of Defence announced it had agreed two contracts worth a total of £79 million to BAE Systems Maritime-Submarines for initial work on the new vessels, which are due to be in service by 2028.

The items include structural fittings, electrical equipment, castings and forgings which must be ordered now, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said.

Mr Hammond said: ''The Successor programme is supporting around 2,000 jobs and up to 850 British businesses could benefit from the supply chain as we exploit the most modern technologies, and employ a significant portion of the UK's engineers, project managers and technicians over the coming years.''

Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord, said: ''The Royal Navy has been operating continuous at-sea deterrent patrols for more than 40 years and the Successor submarines will allow us to do so with cutting-edge equipment well into the future.''

Both contracts, one of £47 million and another of £32 million, will be filled by workers in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

The Ministry of Defence said the total number of MoD and industrial staff currently working on the Successor programme is around 2,000, with more than half working as engineers and designers.

More than 850 potential UK suppliers have so far been identified as benefiting from investment in the programme and as many as 6,000 people will be involved by the time that the construction reaches a peak.

Fantastic news, will be good to see them finally launched. Usually i'm a hawk concerning government spending, but defence of the realm of the number one job for government (and should be one of the only ones if you ask me) and a nuclear defence is vital to maintaining world power and as a last resort if we are ever attacked.

Thoughts?

[AgnesIO]

Excellent, despite some peoples displeasure at Nuclear subs, they are definitely a good idea. Firstly, as you mention for the power status and also they are undoubtedly a strong deterrent and tool if they ever did need to be used.

[xxMATTGxx]

If they are going to keep the design in the image they look a lot more like whales/dolphins with the curves, don't you think? I've always agreed with the UK having submarines as a deterrent. I also watched the two episodes on iPlayer called the "The Silent War" which was interesting as well.

[Sian]

as much as I hate war, I too don't like to see them cut the defense budget and like to see our men and women in the armed forces have decent equipment etc.

Plus those subs, look cool.

[Ardemax]

And that's science, folks. Top job.