Submersible Ship Nuclear AUKUS

Military Capability

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: Not disclosed
Published schedule: 01/04/2014 – 30/04/2043
NISTA delivery confidence: AMBER
Senior responsible owner: Chris Shepherd, Major General Mark Totten

What the project is for

SSN-AUKUS is a new class of nuclear-powered, conventionally armed attack submarine being developed in partnership with the US and Australia for the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy. The design and manufacturing process will be a complex, multi-decade undertaking, creating thousands of jobs across the UK. Construction of the UK’s submarines will take place principally at BAE Systems’ Barrow shipyard, with the manufacture of the next generation of nuclear reactors, including reactors for Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines, taking place at Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd in Raynesway. SSN-AUKUS will enable deeper information and technology sharing and closer integration of security and defence-related science and technology, including propulsion plant systems, common vertical launch systems and conventional weapons from the US. They will be operational from the late 2030s, replacing the current SSN Astute Class.

Departmental delivery commentary

Compared to financial year 24/25 Q4, the NISTA/SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating at 25/26 Q4 remained at Amber. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. Rreflects the ongoing focus on enhancing supplier infrastructure to strengthen capability and capacity within the tier 1 and subordinate supply chain for SSN AUKUS. 2. Additionally, efforts continue to address the current shortfall in engineering resource to support the effective management and assurance of the submarine’s design.

Schedule

Exempt under Section 24 - National security

Cost

Exempt under Section 35 - Formulation of government policy

Benefits

Compared to financial year 2024/25-Q4, the project's departmental-agreed monetised benefits at 2025/26-Q4 remained at £0m.