MOD
Current portfolioDreadnought
Military Capability
Record date: 31 March 2026
- Whole-life cost
- Not disclosed
- Published schedule
- 14/04/2011 – Exempt under Section 24 - National security
- NISTA delivery confidence
- Exempt under Section 24 - National security
- Senior responsible owner
- Matthew Harrison
What the project is for
The Dreadnought Programme will maintain the UK's sovereign ability to deliver a deterrent effect by means of a submarine-launched; inter-continental ballistic missile nuclear weapon capability. The programme will achieve this by replacing in-service the current Vanguard Class SSBNs with four Dreadnought Class SSBNs. The programme requirement was detailed in the Government White Paper 2006: The Future of the UK's Nuclear Deterrent; and subsequently endorsed in both the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review and the 2021 Integrated Review of Security; Defence; Development and Foreign Policy.
Departmental delivery commentary
Exempt under Section 24 - National security
Schedule
Exempt under Section 24 - National security
Cost
Exempt under Section 43 - Commercial interests
Benefits
Exempt under Section 43 - Commercial interests