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 first-hand 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, Submarine Production 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.”
You can access the Keel Laying brochure here.