The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems a contract for the
delivery of the fifth Astute-class submarine. With the construction
having started in 2010, this contract covers the design and remaining
build, test and commissioning activities of the HMS Anson. The submarine
construction is on schedule for sea trials in 2020. |
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The GBP1.3
billion contract is part of the new procurement programme announced,
as a result of the terrorist attacks in Paris and the instability in
many areas around the world. The Royal Navy's submarine force structure
will constitute of four SSBN's, that will be the nuclear, continuous
deterrence at sea, and seven SSN Astute-class submarines.
Vanguard-class, nuclear-armed submarines are scheduled to be replaced
at the beginning of 2030. The new class is known at this stage as "Successor".
Its cost is estimated to be, during the complete lifetime of the programme,
GBP31 billion.
Astute-class attack submarines are capable of engaging sea and land
targets with their weapons arsenal, which includes BAE Systems Spearfish
heavy torpedoes and Raytheon Tomahawk cruise missiles. |
BAE
Systems' Astute-class production line. (Photo: BAE Systems)