Breaking News: British Navy Marks Major Step in Submarine Modernization with Keel-Laying of HMS Dreadnought.

According to a statement published by the British Royal Navy of the United Kingdom on March 20, 2025, the British Royal Navy has marked a major milestone in the renewal of the nation’s nuclear deterrent with the keel-laying of HMS Dreadnought, the first in a fleet of four next-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The event, held at BAE Systems’ state-of-the-art submarine facility in Barrow-in-Furness, represents a significant step forward in what is the UK’s most advanced and complex naval program to date.
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British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leads the ceremonial keel-laying of HMS Dreadnought at BAE Systems’ Devonshire Dock Hall in Barrow-in-Furness, marking a major milestone in the UK’s next-generation nuclear submarine program. (Picture source: British Royal Navy)

The symbolic ceremony, attended by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, senior military leaders, and shipbuilding personnel, represents the official “birth” of the vessel. Although modern submarine construction no longer follows traditional shipbuilding stages due to modular techniques, keel laying remains a ceremonial tradition that acknowledges the start of the vessel’s final assembly phase. HMS Dreadnought has been under construction in modular form for nearly a decade, with large sections already completed and now being integrated.

The Dreadnought-class submarines will replace the Vanguard-class boats that have been in service since the 1990s. These new submarines will be larger, more stealthy, and significantly more advanced. Displacing over 17,000 tonnes—making them the largest submarines ever built for the Royal Navy—Dreadnought-class boats will measure around 153 meters in length, roughly the size of 14 double-decker buses. In terms of capabilities, the Dreadnought class introduces several technological enhancements over the current Vanguard-class, including improved stealth features enabled by next-generation acoustic quieting technologies, reducing detectability and enhancing survivability. They will also incorporate a new-generation PWR3 nuclear reactor, providing enhanced safety, reduced maintenance needs, and extended service intervals.

The Dreadnought-class submarines will be equipped with digital command systems and a higher degree of automation, streamlining operations and reducing crew workload. For the first time in British Royal Navy submarines, adaptive lighting will simulate day-night cycles to improve crew well-being during extended underwater patrols. Each Dreadnought-class boat is expected to serve for over 30 years, ensuring the UK’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrent remains effective well into the 2060s.

Compared to the Vanguard-class—comprising HMS Vanguard, Victorious, Vigilant, and Vengeance, which have been in service for between 27 and 33 years—the Dreadnought class represents a generational leap in submarine design and capability. Not only will the new boats offer greater survivability and endurance, but they also benefit from decades of operational experience and advancements in naval engineering.

The Dreadnought program officially began following British Parliamentary approval in July 2016, and construction of the lead submarine started on October 6, 2016. It is being executed under a long-term contract led by BAE Systems, the UK’s leading defense contractor, in partnership with Rolls-Royce, which is providing the advanced PWR3 nuclear propulsion system. The British Ministry of Defence awarded a series of contracts for the program, with the most recent being a landmark £9 billion agreement signed with Rolls-Royce in January 2025. Known as the Unity contract, this eight-year deal covers design, manufacturing, and support for the nuclear reactors that will power the Dreadnought-class boats. The program is one of the most strategic and complex defense investments in British history, projected to exceed £30 billion, and is expected to create over 1,000 new jobs while safeguarding another 4,000 across the supply chain.

The class will include four submarines in total: HMS Dreadnought, Valiant, Warspite, and King George VI. Each vessel is being built in 16 modular sections, which are then grouped into three massive "mega units" and assembled within the Devonshire Dock Hall. The first mega block of HMS Dreadnought was delivered in late 2023, reflecting the scale and precision of the construction process. The lead submarine is expected to enter operational service in the early 2030s, with the remaining vessels delivered at intervals of no more than 36 months.

To honour Barrow’s 150-year legacy of shipbuilding—125 years of which have been dedicated to submarine construction—His Majesty King Charles III has granted the honorary title Royal Port of Barrow. This recognition celebrates the town’s enduring role at the heart of the UK’s naval industrial base and its contribution to national defense.

During the keel-laying ceremony, Prime Minister Starmer also met with crew members from HMS Agamemnon, the sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine nearing completion. These submarines will form part of the multi-layered protection system for the UK's strategic deterrent, operating alongside RAF Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, Merlin Mk2 helicopters, Type 26 frigates, and a growing array of unmanned underwater vehicles and sensor networks.

Earlier in the week, the Prime Minister, joined by the British Defence Secretary John Healey and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, boarded a returning Vanguard-class submarine at HM Naval Base Clyde for a “Day Zero” visit. This high-level engagement served to express national gratitude to the submarine crew for their months of silent patrol and to thank their families for their strength and sacrifice.

As HMS Dreadnought moves toward final assembly, the British Royal Navy is preparing to usher in a new era of strategic deterrence. These submarines represent the pinnacle of British naval innovation and commitment, combining cutting-edge technology, industrial strength, and a legacy of excellence to ensure the nation’s nuclear deterrent remains secure and effective for decades to come.