Local school children and cadets were among the 150 specially-invited guests celebrating the keel laying. Also attending were representatives from the Dreadnought Alliance, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the Royal Navy.
The event marks a hugely significant milestone in the build of the first-in-class for the Dreadnought ballistic missile submarine programme.
Although the build is already well advanced on HMS Dreadnought, keel laying is a centuries long tradition in the Royal Navy, marking the point that a vessel begins construction.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "Each and every person living and working in Barrow is contributing to our nation’s defence, whether that is building our world-class submarine programme, or supporting the workforce here through vital public services or proud family businesses.
"When I say that our Plan for Change is delivering security for working people and renewal for our country, there is no better blueprint than Barrow.
"Defence spending here is supporting highly skilled jobs, driving opportunities for young people and delivering world class capabilities to keep us all safe, but it’s also crucially putting money in the pockets of hardworking people.
"This week, I saw firsthand the sacrifice our submariners are making every day to keep our country safe, but I know they are only able to do that because of the support of the town of Barrow."
Alex McMillan, Dreadnought Alliance Managing Director, said: "This is a tremendous honour for the team delivering this great advance in the Dreadnought Programme. I'm extremely proud of everyone involved in our national endeavour – supporting the Royal Navy to deliver the Continuous At Sea Deterrent.
"Achieving this latest significant milestone shows we're keen to continue at pace so that the Dreadnought Programme is on track for the First of Class, HMS Dreadnought, to enter service in the early 2030s."
The Dreadnought Class of ballistic missile submarines comprises four new nuclear submarines, Dreadnought, Valiant, Warspite and King George VI. The new Dreadnought Class submarines will replace the Vanguard Class fleet that provides our nuclear deterrent, safeguarding the United Kingdom and our allies against the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life.
Through the Dreadnought Programme we will continue to maintain the UK policy of the Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD) for as long as the international security situation makes it necessary.
The programme is the most significant UK submarine procurement undertaken for a generation and the Dreadnought Class will be the most advanced submarine ever built for the Royal Navy.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: "Today’s keel laying is a demonstration of our government delivering for defence and fulfilling our first duty: to keep the British people safe.
"Our triple lock pledge for Britain’s nuclear deterrent will see all four Dreadnought-class submarines built in Royal Barrow – a generational commitment that is transforming this town. This is one of the most complex projects ever undertaken in this country, representing the very best of British engineering.
"Our commitment to the nuclear deterrent is unshakeable – it is the ultimate guarantor of our national security and the security of our NATO allies. And this national endeavour is also an engine for jobs and growth in Barrow and beyond."
It is estimated that at its peak the Dreadnought Programme will support almost 30,000 UK jobs. With suppliers based across the UK, the economic impact is felt across the whole country.
These are high quality skilled jobs, in places like Barrow, giving people the opportunity not just to embark on a well-paid career, but also to contribute to a vital national mission, working on some of the most complex and technologically advanced programmes ever undertaken in this country.
New facilities needed to deliver the Dreadnought Programme are being delivered through the Site Redevelopment Plan (SRP). Investments are a mix of improvements to existing facilities and building new facilities with delivery aligned to meet the needs of the build plan.
The scale and range of defence nuclear programmes represent some of the most complex and technologically advanced programmes the UK has ever undertaken. The world-leading and cutting-edge technology is a showcase of British industry science and engineering.
The Prime Minister also announced today that His Majesty the King has agreed to confer the title ‘Royal’ to the Port of Barrow in recognition of the town’s undue role in guaranteeing the nation’s security.
The title is a recognition of the dedication and commitment of the people of Barrow in delivering the submarines that protect the nation, now and for decades to come. His Majesty hopes to visit the town in due course to mark the town’s proud heritage and prosperous future.
The challenge of a generation
The Dreadnought Class will be one of the most complex machines ever built and it will operate in one of the most hostile environments on the planet.
As the largest Class of submarine ever built for the Royal Navy, each will boast 26.4 miles of pipework and more than 20,000 cables stretching 215 miles – further than travelling between London and Leeds.
The four Dreadnought Class submarines, each the length of three Olympic swimming pools, will maintain CASD, responsible for safeguarding our national security and way of life, for as long as the international security situation makes it necessary. The Dreadnought Programme is a truly incredible national endeavour.
