By Atoyebi Nike
Britain will build 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines under the AUKUS security alliance. The move is part of a major defence overhaul aimed at tackling modern threats, especially from Russia.
The Strategic Defence Review will be unveiled on Monday. It is led by former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson and ex-White House Russia adviser Fiona Hill.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to rebuild the UK’s military strength. He has pledged to increase defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. His long-term goal is to reach 3%.
“We cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses,” Starmer told the BBC. “We’ve seen what happened in Ukraine just over three years ago.”
The review will push the UK armed forces into “warfighting readiness.” It includes 62 proposals, all of which are expected to be adopted.
The submarine plan will see the current fleet of seven replaced by 12 new vessels. These will be nuclear-powered but armed with conventional weapons. They will be built in partnership with the US and Australia under the AUKUS agreement. Construction will begin in the late 2030s.
Other key measures in the review include: Building six new munitions factories, producing up to 7,000 long-range weapons locally, deploying advanced cyber and battlefield tech.
The government also confirmed that its new nuclear warhead programme will cost £15 billion.
“With modern submarines patrolling global waters and a nuclear warhead programme at home, we’re securing Britain,” said Defence Secretary John Healey.
Despite a sluggish economy, the government sees defence spending as an economic driver. Starmer plans to use military investment to create skilled jobs and revive local industries.
“This plan is about more than security,” Starmer will say at the launch. “It’s about innovation, jobs, and making Britain strong again.”
