Britain Will Increase Its Nuclear-Powered Submarine Fleet in a Defense Reorganization Amid Growing Russian Danger

Under AUKUS, Britain plans to construct 12 new nuclear-powered submarines to improve defense readiness and confront Russia.

In a comprehensive Strategic Defense Review that will be revealed on Monday, Britain plans to increase the number of nuclear-powered attack submarines in its fleet and restructure its military policy.

Under the direction of former White House Russia adviser Fiona Hill and former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, the assessment aims to resist Russia’s increasing aggression and prepare the nation for contemporary conflict.

In response to US President Donald Trump’s concerns that Europe needs to assume more responsibility for its own defense, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is working to rebuild the United Kingdom’s military capabilities.

As a result, Starmer has committed to raising defense spending from 2.3% of GDP to 2.5% by 2027, with the long-term goal of achieving 3%.

“Russia is a threat that we cannot overlook. The Prime Minister told the BBC, “We’ve seen what happened in Ukraine just over three years ago.”

The assessment will include 62 suggestions that the government is expected to implement, including calling for the British military to transition to a state of “warfighting readiness.”

The plans include for building at least six new munitions factories, acquiring up to 7,000 long-range weapons made in the country, and implementing cutting-edge tech and cyber systems to enhance defense and communication on the battlefield.

One of the biggest changes is that, starting in the late 2030s, Britain will start constructing up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines to replace its current fleet of seven.

These submarines, which are part of a cooperative design created with the United States and Australia under the AUKUS security alliance, will carry conventional weapons despite being nuclear-powered.

For the first time, the government also revealed that it will spend £15 billion on a new nuclear warhead for its own strategic deterrent fleet.

Defense Secretary John Healey declared, “We are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad with our own nuclear warhead program on British shores and new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters.”

The statement comes as the Starmer administration tries to strike a balance between rising defense expenditures and a faltering economy and overburdened public coffers. Starmer is portraying the military investment as a path to economic revitalization in the face of political obstacles.

In his speech unveiling the review on Monday, the prime minister is anticipated to state, “This plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country.”