• Minister Luke Pollard told Parliament the UK intends to buy up to 12 SSN-AUKUS submarines, with the final number to be confirmed before the Detailed Design and Long Lead phase ends in 2028.
  • He said Defence Investment Plan investments have established the capacity to deliver a submarine every 18 months from the mid-2030s.
  • The UK Defence Journal reports Pollard also confirmed steel will be cut next year; Britain currently operates seven Astute-class submarines.