BAE awarded £79m contract for Successor submarines

Two contracts worth £47m and £32m have been awarded to BAE Systems, which is leading the design of the vessels. The boats are due to replace the Vanguard fleet, which carry the Trident nuclear deterrent system, from 2028. Around 2,000 people are working on the programme, the MoD said. "The design of a nuclear powered submarine is incredibly complex and we continue to make good progress in the engineering phase of the programme," noted Tony Johns, managing director of BAE Systems Maritime. "The first submarine is due to be in service by 2028, so to achieve that target it's essential we begin the procurement process now to ensure we can start construction on time." BAE is working on the design with the MoD, Rolls Royce and Babcock. It expects to recruit 500 more staff at its plant in Barrow next year.