London, July 30 (SANA) Britain will invest £8.4 billion ($11.2 billion) in its Dreadnought nuclear submarine program, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Thursday, describing the project as a long-term investment in national security that will also support tens of thousands of jobs.
Speaking ahead of a visit to Barrow-in-Furness, where four Dreadnought-class submarines are under construction, Burnham said the program would help safeguard Britain’s nuclear deterrent for decades while creating 47,000 jobs and apprenticeships over the next 10 years, according to the BBC.
The funding marks the fourth phase of the Dreadnought program, which was included in the defense investment plan unveiled during the final days of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer‘s government.
Defense contractor BAE Systems will receive £5.9 billion to build the four submarines, with the remaining funding allocated to companies across the project’s supply chain.
Under the latest investment, the lead vessel, HMS Dreadnought, is expected to complete sea trials ahead of entering service in the early 2030s. A second submarine, HMS Valiant, will also advance to sea trials, while construction continues on the remaining two vessels.
The announcement follows the government’s broader commitment to spend more than £63 billion over the next four years on maintaining and modernizing the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Of that total, £47 billion has been earmarked to sustain the existing submarine fleet, complete the Dreadnought program, begin work on its successor and upgrade shipbuilding and manufacturing facilities.
Burnham’s pledge comes as Britain faces growing pressure from the United States and NATO allies to increase defense spending, while also addressing a £4.7 billion funding gap in its long-term defense plan.
The prime minister has reiterated his commitment to meeting NATO’s target of spending 3.5% of national income on defense by 2035.
N.J/ABD
