The British defence contractor, BAE Systems, has been awarded a €3.95bn ($4.82bn) contract to construct a new array of submarines as the security alliance between Australia, the UK, and the US advances. The tripartite venture, dubbed the Aukus pact, aims to arm Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines by the faintly distant late 30s to obstruct China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific vicinity. Beijing has vociferously censured the states over the deal.
The funding will support the construction of the vessels towards the conclusion of this decade. Development work will last until 2028. The first SSN-Aukus submarine will be delivered, as planned, in the late 2030s. Both the UK and Australia will operate the submarines, based on British technology. BAE Systems CEO Charles Woodburn articulates, “we’re immensely pleased with our participation in the delivery of this crucial tri-nation submarine programme.”
The SSN-Aukus will be the most powerful, technically sophisticated attack submarine ever utilised by the Royal Navy. It will ultimately replace the Astute class, also built by BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The accord will provide work for several decades at the northern factory, which currently employs over 10,000 people, along with substantial investments in its distribution infrastructure, and accommodating the employment of over 5,000 workers.
The SSN-Aukus construction contract is one of several benefits for UK defence firms proceeding from the trilateral agreement. In March, Rolls-Royce Submarines was assigned the development responsibility for the nuclear reactor engines that will power the SSN-Aukus vessels, and in June, Rolls-Royce stated that it would nearly double the size of its facility in Derby. Additionally, Babcock International will maintain and support the UK’s submarines under a new five-year agreement, while expanding jobs and expanding operations
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