Latest news with #Astute-class

The Age
a day ago
- Business
- The Age
Cook heads for UK to bolster AUKUS deal and build more nuclear submarines in WA
West Australian Premier Roger Cook has announced a defence mission to the UK in a bid to bolster the precarious AUKUS agreement and lobby for more nuclear-powered submarines to be built in WA. The partnership between Australia, the UK and US has been in limbo since President Donald Trump took office and said he plans to review it. Since the inception of AUKUS in 2021, all three leaders at the time – Scott Morrison, Boris Johnson and Joe Biden – have either lost elections or left politics. Despite this, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer remain in favour of the deal. The state government says defence is set to become WA's second-largest industry after mining – surpassing agriculture – and lobbying for UK Astute-class submarines to be built in WA will be a major focus of five-day talks. 'The defence industry is critical to our plans to diversify our economy, and that's why this trip to strengthen AUKUS ties and unlock opportunities for local businesses is so important,' he said. Loading 'We are working to make more things right here in WA, attract more international investment, and make our State one of the best in the world to do business.' Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia will join Cook on the mission, after he travelled to the US for similar talks in April where he said WA was also on the cusp of entering America's Virginia-class submarine manufacturing industry. 'From submarines to frigates, defence is Made in WA, and our local businesses are strongly positioned to support the construction and sustainment of Astute-class submarines,' he said.

Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Cook heads for UK to bolster AUKUS deal and build more nuclear submarines in WA
West Australian Premier Roger Cook has announced a defence mission to the UK in a bid to bolster the precarious AUKUS agreement and lobby for more nuclear-powered submarines to be built in WA. The partnership between Australia, the UK and US has been in limbo since President Donald Trump took office and said he plans to review it. Since the inception of AUKUS in 2021, all three leaders at the time – Scott Morrison, Boris Johnson and Joe Biden – have either lost elections or left politics. Despite this, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer remain in favour of the deal. The state government says defence is set to become WA's second-largest industry after mining – surpassing agriculture – and lobbying for UK Astute-class submarines to be built in WA will be a major focus of five-day talks. 'The defence industry is critical to our plans to diversify our economy, and that's why this trip to strengthen AUKUS ties and unlock opportunities for local businesses is so important,' he said. Loading 'We are working to make more things right here in WA, attract more international investment, and make our State one of the best in the world to do business.' Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia will join Cook on the mission, after he travelled to the US for similar talks in April where he said WA was also on the cusp of entering America's Virginia-class submarine manufacturing industry. 'From submarines to frigates, defence is Made in WA, and our local businesses are strongly positioned to support the construction and sustainment of Astute-class submarines,' he said.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The UK is going heavy on attack submarines, with plans to build 12 new ones
The Royal Navy is building 12 new SSN-AUKUS attack submarines. They're set to replace the UK's Astute-class attack submarines by the 2030s. It comes as part of the UK government's bid to boost its armed forces amid rising global threats. The UK plans to build 12 new attack submarines as part of sweeping plans to boost the country's military. The Ministry of Defence said Sunday that the SSN-AUKUS vessels would be built as part of the UK's Strategic Review to enhance its military strength amid rising global threats. They'll be deployed as part of the AUKUS alliance between the UK, Australia, and the US, with the submarines having been developed alongside the Australian navy. "Our outstanding submariners patrol 24/7 to keep us and our allies safe, but we know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said. He added: "With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering on our Plan for Change with 30,000 highly-skilled jobs across the country." The submarines are set to replace the UK's current fleet of seven Astute-class attack submarines by the 2030s. The Astute class submarines are nuclear-powered and carry Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAM) and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes, the UK government said. The Naval Lookout analysis website described the new submarines as an "apex naval predator." "In preparing for potential conflict with other states, SSNs are arguably the most important conventional assets the UK can deploy," it said, adding that they can be used to take out enemy vessels, create blockades, land special forces operatives, and gather intelligence. But Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, told journalists that questions remain over how the target of building 12 submarines would be met on schedule. "There is going to have to be a pretty major culture change within the forces, within the MOD and their relationship with industry to make that more viable," he said. "I would be fascinated to know how they're going to do that because the record is not great up until now," he added. The UK government has pledged to boost defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. Under the plans outlined in its latest Strategic Defence Review, released this week, it will also provide the equivalent of $20 billion in extra funding for the UK's nuclear weapons program. Read the original article on Business Insider

Business Insider
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The UK is going heavy on attack submarines, with plans to build 12 new ones
The Royal Navy is building 12 new SSN-AUKUS attack submarines. They're set to replace the UK's Astute-class attack submarines by the 2030s. It comes as part of the UK government's bid to boost its armed forces amid rising global threats. The UK plans to build 12 new attack submarines as part of sweeping plans to boost the country's military. The Ministry of Defence said Sunday that the SSN-AUKUS vessels would be built as part of the UK's Strategic Review to enhance its military strength amid rising global threats. They'll be deployed as part of the AUKUS alliance between the UK, Australia, and the US, with the submarines having been developed alongside the Australian navy. "Our outstanding submariners patrol 24/7 to keep us and our allies safe, but we know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said. He added: "With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering on our Plan for Change with 30,000 highly-skilled jobs across the country." The submarines are set to replace the UK's current fleet of seven Astute-class attack submarines by the 2030s. The Astute class submarines are nuclear-powered and carry Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAM) and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes, the UK government said. The Naval Lookout analysis website described the new submarines as an "apex naval predator." "In preparing for potential conflict with other states, SSNs are arguably the most important conventional assets the UK can deploy," it said, adding that they can be used to take out enemy vessels, create blockades, land special forces operatives, and gather intelligence. But Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, told journalists that questions remain over how the target of building 12 submarines would be met on schedule. "There is going to have to be a pretty major culture change within the forces, within the MOD and their relationship with industry to make that more viable," he said. "I would be fascinated to know how they're going to do that because the record is not great up until now," he added. The UK government has pledged to boost defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. Under the plans outlined in its latest Strategic Defence Review, released this week, it will also provide the equivalent of $20 billion in extra funding for the UK's nuclear weapons program.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK to build 12 nuclear submarines in preparation for potential war with Russia
The United Kingdom has announced plans to build 12 new nuclear submarines in preparation for potential armed aggression from Russia. Source: The Sunday Times Details: According to The Sunday Times, the UK is planning to construct 12 new nuclear attack submarines to replace the seven existing Astute-class submarines equipped with conventional weapons and to complement the four Trident nuclear missile strategic submarines that form the sea-based component of the UK's nuclear deterrent. The new submarines are expected to enter service by the late 2030s. They will be part of the AUKUS trilateral security pact signed between the UK, the US and Australia in 2021. The alliance provides for the sharing of military technology and intelligence and the joint development of submarines. The total number of submarines ordered under AUKUS will reach 20. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also promise to invest £15 billion (around US$20 billion) in a nuclear warhead development programme. The Sunday Times noted that this is the first time the UK has revealed both the number of nuclear attack submarines to replace the Astute class and the scale of investment in warhead development programmes. Details about the rearmament of the British forces are expected to be outlined in the UK government's strategic defence review, which will be published on Monday 2 June. Defence Secretary John Healey said that the UK must be ready for armed attack from Russia and that the review will send a "message to Moscow" about the country's readiness for combat. The 130-page document will also recommend putting the UK armed forces on a state of combat readiness in response to the "immediate and pressing" threat from Russia. Background: Prior to that, The Sunday Times reported that the UK government is negotiating with the Pentagon to purchase US F-35A Lightning stealth fighters capable of launching tactical nuclear weapons. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!