Core Production Capability

Military Capability

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £7.8bn
Published schedule: 23/04/2012 – 31/12/2043
NISTA delivery confidence: AMBER
Senior responsible owner: Dr Richard Vincent

What the project is for

The Core Production Capability (CPC) delivers the capability required to manufacture nuclear reactor cores for the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine programme. At programme closure, CPC will have provided the Royal Navy with the means to propel a renewed Deterrent submarine fleet plus a UK-based capability to manufacture further cores for a fleet of flexible and adaptable attack submarines delivered under the AUKUS agreement.

Departmental delivery commentary

Compared to financial year 24/25 Q4, the NISTA/SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating at 25/26 Q4 increased to Amber. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. Reflects delivery of the final core for the Astute class of submarines and increasing maturity of the work required to deliver the core manufacturing capability required for the next generation of UK (and Australian) attack submarines. 2. Work continues with Rolls-Royce Submarines to to ensure timely delivery of the first of a new core type required for the Dreadnought-class of submarines.

Schedule

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's end-date at 25/26-Q4 remained the same from 31/12/2043 to 31/12/2043.

Cost

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally-agreed Whole Life Cost at 25/26-Q4 increased from £5930.6M to £8877.8M. This is primarily due to an expansion in the programme scope to create the manufacturing capability needed to produce cores for the next generation UK and Australian attack submarines. This cost increase is based on early estimates for the work required and will change as detailed design and planning work proceeds and is reflected in Departmental budgets allocated to the programme.

Benefits

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