The UK government has announced plans to build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of a Strategic Defence Review to address rising global threats.
The new conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines will replace the seven-strong Astute class from the late 2030s onwards.
The expanded fleet will be delivered as part of the AUKUS trilateral agreement with the United States and Australia, with new submarines constructed at BAE Systems’ site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and the nuclear reactors created by Rolls-Royce at its site in Derby.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it expected the rollout of the new generation would see a submarine built every 18 months, BBC News said.
