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Progress
When they enter service from the early 2030s, the Dreadnought class of ballistic submarines will be the most advanced ever built for the Royal Navy.
Our timeline so far
March 2007
Work begins on the concept phase of the ‘Successor’ programme, with the project following agreement in the House of Commons on the general principle of whether the UK should retain a strategic nuclear deterrent beyond the life of the current system.
April 2011
Concept phase passes its Initial Gate and enters a five-year assessment phase focused on the design of the Successor platform.
July 2016
The House of Commons approves the decision to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent beyond the early 2030s and the programme moves into its manufacturing phase.
September 2016
Delivery Phase 1 officially begins.
October 2016
Construction of the first submarine begins with cutting of the steel.
The Right Honourable Sir Michael Fallon MP, then Secretary of State for Defence, visits Barrow-in-Furness shipyard in October 2016 to commence the first metal-cut for the Dreadnought programme – this follows UK Government commitment of £1.3 billion funding.
April 2018
The Submarine Delivery Agency becomes an Executive Agency of the MOD.
The Dreadnought Alliance is formed in tandem with the creation of a new delivery body, the MOD also establishes a new alliance with its two key industrial partners on the Dreadnought Programme: BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.
Julie Morris OBE is appointed as the Dreadnought Alliance Managing Director.
May 2018
The MOD signed contracts for the second phase of the build programme.
Delivery Phase 2, which is expected to be a three-year phase of work under the management of the Dreadnought Alliance, will continue the design and build of the first Dreadnought submarine and commence the build of the second, including furthering the design and manufacture of the nuclear propulsion power plant.
September 2018
Sir Peter Gershon was appointed as the Independent Chair of the Alliance Leadership Board.
December 2018
Update to Parliament that the programme remains within its cost estimate and that £5.5 billion had been spent so far on the concept, assessment and early delivery phases of the project.
Update to ParliamentMay 2019
MOD confirmation that the programme is currently on schedule.
December 2019
Update to Parliament that the programme remains on track and within budget. Full report can be found at the link below:
Update to parliamentApril 2020
British Royal Navy names 4th Dreadnought Class submarine “King George VI”
December 2020
Update to Parliament that the Dreadnought programme remains on track and within budget. Full report can be found at the link below:
Update to ParliamentDecember 2021
Update to Parliament that the Dreadnought programme remains on track and within budget. Full report can be found at the link below:
Update to ParliamentMay 2022
More than £2 billion announced to boost UK submarine programme.
July 2022
Bringing suppliers on board the mission with supply chain conference.
August 2022
New Managing Director, Alex McMillan, takes the helm of Dreadnought Programme.
November 2022
First pressure hull for Dreadnought Boat 1 moved into BAE Systems Submarines’ Devonshire Dock Hall.
December 2022
Unit F of Boat 1 moves from Devonshire Dock Hall, and Boat 1 Aft End Construction moves to Central Yard.
February 2023
Cut steel on boat 3; Warspite.
The Dreadnought programme’s number one strategic priority is to deliver Boat 1, HMS Dreadnought, on time and the following three boats on schedule, to maintain the UK’s national security. This is an incredibly exciting challenge and we have assembled an excellent team of the brightest and best engineers, project managers and procurement experts. There are amazing career opportunities for anyone joining us.Alex McMillan, Dreadnought Alliance Managing Director