Article Summary: The Royal Navy’s Dreadnought-class submarines are the most advanced nuclear deterrent Britain has ever built, featuring stealthy propulsion and cutting-edge missile capabilities. They are key to deterring Russia.
Key Point #1 – But with only four planned, experts warn this may not be enough to counter growing threats from Russia and China.
Key Point #2 – Unlike the U.S., which maintains a diverse nuclear triad, the UK relies solely on its submarine force, raising concerns about strategic vulnerability. As geopolitical tensions rise, should Britain expand its SSBN fleet to ensure its nuclear deterrence remains credible? Investing in additional subs—or diversifying nuclear capabilities—could be the key to safeguarding the UK’s security in an uncertain world.
Dreadnought-Class: The Future of Britain’s Nuclear Deterrent—But Is It Enough?
The Dreadnought class is the newest generation and the largest-ever-built ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) developed for the British Royal Navy.
Designed to carry Trident II/D5 ballistic missiles, these nuclear-powered subs feature advanced sensors, increased stealth, and artificial intelligence. Britain is trying to replace her aging Vanguard-class submarines and still maintain the RN’s nuclear deterrent.
BAE Systems is building the subs at its Barrow-In-Furness Shipyard.
The only issue with the Dreadnought-class is that Britain won’t build enough of them.
Submarines Are Britain’s Only Strategic Nuclear Deterrent
The Brits don’t have Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles or nuclear bombs that can be dropped from Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft. Their submarines have been the country’s only nuclear deterrent since 1969. And with a plan to only have four SSBN submarines built, it isn’t enough considering the continued belligerence of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The British Royal Navy ruled the seas for centuries, but the tiny island nation is no longer the monarch of the sea. With limited budgets, the RN’s focus is now on submarines, but not exclusively. The RN also has two aircraft carriers, the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales.
The Ministry of Defense doesn’t have the budget to modernize these fairly new carriers or build enough support ships to escort and protect them. Building more submarines or amphibious assault ships would have been more practical, especially with the Russians operating in their backyard.
Under the New START nuclear treaty, the UK has 24 deployed SLBMs, 88 deployed warheads, and 64 deployed and non-deployed SLBM launchers on four Vanguard-class submarines.
In the event of war with either China or Russia, having all of the Nuclear weapons in one basket isn’t the best idea. The UK needs to diversify its nuclear weapon platforms, perhaps by using the RAF as such an option.
The Dreadnought-Class Submarine Was Built For Nuclear War/Deterrence (Think Russia)
The Royal Navy is building the Dreadnought-class to replace the Vanguard-class, much like the United States is replacing the Ohio-class with the Columbia-class submarines. The SSBN missile subs are “boomers.”
The Dreadnought is chock full of technological advances that will make her more stealthy, deadly, and easier to maintain, allowing the boat to operate unseen in the ocean and keep England safe.
The Dreadnought class will be the first British sub to carry X-rudders, similar to the design of the Columbia-class. Combined with the new pump jet propulsion system, the Dreadnought will be much quieter when moving through the water.
In contrast to a more typical screw-type propellor, the Dreadnoughts, and other more modern submarines increasingly incorporate a pump jet design. This design choice allows quieter operation at higher speeds than possible with a propeller’s cavitation noise.
Perhaps the most intriguing stealth innovation of the boat is on the inside: a turbo-electric drive. The drive harnesses the nuclear reactor to generate electricity, which in turn powers an electric motor that powers the pump jet propulsor. It runs extremely quiet.
Slightly smaller than the Columbia-class of the US, the Dreadnought will carry 12 Trident II D5 missiles, the Spearfish heavyweight torpedo will occupy four torpedo tubes, and the boat operates with a crew of 130.
Collaboration With The US Saves Both Time and Money
Longtime allies Britain and the US have partnered again to collaborate to incorporate submarine designs to save time and money.
Northrop Grumman is responsible for the production of launcher subsystem hardware as part of the CMC program, also called the Common Missile Compartment. The company received a contract worth $458m to support the Columbia-class and Dreadnought-class submarines in June 2022. The contractual scope includes program management, shipyard field operations, hardware production work, systems engineering, documentation, and logistics.
The missile section is actually divided into three separate missile compartments, each one comprising four missile tubes (known as a ‘quad pack’) for a total of 12 tubes and five deck levels for a total of 12 missiles.
Between the new designs of the Dreadnought-class SSBN submarines and the Astute-class attack submarines, the Royal Navy will be much better equipped to handle the defense of its nation and act as a nuclear deterrent.
The Dreadnought-class is the future replacement for the Vanguard-class of ballistic missile submarines.
Dreadnought-Class Submarine. Image: Creative Commons.
With the recent events in Ukraine and the Middle East, with the Iranian-proxy Houthi rebels trying to shut down shipping in the Gulf and the Chinese trying to do the same in the Indo-Pacific, it is an expensive but well-worth investment.
They just should build a few more.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
