UK to Invest $153Mln to Develop New Nuclear Submarines

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - UK engineering and defense company Babcock has received two contracts worth 121 million pounds ($153.6 million) from the UK government and the country's major arms maker, BAE Systems, to develop new Dreadnought-class nuclear submarines, the UK Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The new Dreadnought-class nuclear submarines are expected to replace the Vanguard-class boats in the early 2030s, according to the ministry.

"Two contracts, worth collectively over £100 million, have been awarded to Babcock to support the development of the UK's future nuclear deterrent," the statement said.

Under the first contract, worth 66 million pounds and signed with the UK government, Babcock will provide the defense ministry with "technical and management support, engineering best practice and submarine maintenance achievability" over the next four and a half years. It will also support 250 jobs, primarily in Bristol, the ministry added.

The second deal with BAE totals 55 million pounds will see Babcock provide the necessary equipment for the boats.

"This programme will support the design, development, and manufacture of the four new Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines - the largest submarines ever to be operated by the Royal Navy," the ministry said.

The UK currently has four Vanguard-class submarines, which have been in service since the 1990s, armed with Trident ballistic missiles, which is the only weapon of nuclear deterrence in the country's arsenal.