UK Defence Forum

serge750 wrote: ↑12 Feb 2023, 16:28 If the SSNR design is not ready to go by 2026 could they offer to build one last Astute for the Oz navy at cost for training to keep the workers busy until the design is finalised ?

I don't think it's viable or possible as PWR2 is now out of production.

serge750 wrote: ↑12 Feb 2023, 16:28 If the SSNR design is not ready to go by 2026 could they offer to build one last Astute for the Oz navy at cost for training to keep the workers busy until the design is finalised ?

The Astutes use Rolls Royce PWR2 nuclear reactor. My understanding is that Rolls Royce have moved in from constructing PWR2 to new PWR3 reactors for Dreadnought Class.

I presume that SSNR will be designed to also use the PWR3 but I don't know if that is confirmed?

The only realistic way for the RAN to get a training sub would be if they were given / sold a second hand US Los-Angeles Class or UK Trafalgar Class, which I do think would be a good idea as a short term interim measure for RAN to start getting used to the operation and logistics of having SSN.

2022 Update to Parliament :-
https://qna.files.parliament.uk/ws-atta ... iament.pdf

jonas wrote: ↑09 Mar 2023, 08:52 2022 Update to Parliament :-
https://qna.files.parliament.uk/ws-atta ... iament.pdf

The CEO of SDA now reports directly to Director General Nuclear, as does a new position
of Managing Director, Warhead

What an odd set of titles.

Large Hull section on the move in shipyard...

https://x.com/RoyalNavy/status/1714631163472412838?s=20

mrclark303 wrote: ↑12 Feb 2023, 17:20

serge750 wrote: ↑12 Feb 2023, 16:28 If the SSNR design is not ready to go by 2026 could they offer to build one last Astute for the Oz navy at cost for training to keep the workers busy until the design is finalised ?

I don't think it's viable or possible as PWR2 is now out of production.

and even if it were possible to squeeze out one last PWR2, would you really want to consider operating a nuclear reactor in the 2060's that had is design origin a century earlier?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/arti ... Total.html

I'm proud that today I'll be the first Labour Party leader in over 30 years to visit the shipyard of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, to see these incredible boats being built. And in the face of rising global threats and growing Russian aggression, I'm proud to confirm to Mail readers that Labour's commitment to our nuclear deterrent is total.

In addition to our powerful nuclear triple-lock, a Labour government I lead would offer new UK leadership within the AUKUS defence alliance. Labour fully backs this historic agreement between Britain, Australia and the USA and we will ensure it delivers for Britain.

So we will fully back the building of AUKUS nuclear submarines here in Barrow for decades to come. And we'll throw our weight behind other AUKUS programmes to make this national endeavour a success for Britain.

Well that sounds like he is oboard ( ) & suports (J)AUKUS & claiming to match the 2.5% spend when the time is right .... hopefully no U turns

2.5% is totally inadequate in the current Geopolitic environment!
Captain Flip-Flop says he want defence to get 2.5%, but ONLY IF, it doses not interfere with Labours other priorities. In other words it is a meaningless “commitment”.