non-Astute-based) Trident successor programme. The four Astute submarines currently under order were originally estimated to cost £2.5 billion although final costs are likely to be in the region of £3.8 billion – a salient warning as to the likely cost overruns of a new (i.e. Indeed, some forward-thinking BAE planners have already been considering a modified Astute with inter-continental ballistic missile capabilities as a potential successor to Trident.Įconomically, a strong argument exists for the replacement of Trident with Astute, namely in the form cutting costs whilst saving jobs. However, given Astute’s capability to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing or requiring refueling at any time, questions of vulnerability are not as significant as might normally be the case with a submarine of less sophistication then the current Trident-bearing Vanguard class submarines or an Astute. The key trade off, therefore, between a full SSBN system and Astute would be a decrease in the potency of the nuclear armament in terms of range and yield. Trident missiles have a range of 6,000 nautical miles whilst an Astute submarine equipped with cruise missiles have a range of 1,000 nautical miles. With the production and development costs of the Trident successor programme costing £20 billion according to the Ministry of Defence and £30 billion according to Greenpeace, the Astute class nuclear submarines (already under construction) are well suited to providing Britain with a continued nuclear deterrent while saving up to £45 billion.Īstute submarines could be equipped with nuclear warheads for launch via cruise missile.

As debate intensifies on the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent, a fiscally reasonable, strategically sound alternative is emerging in the form of the new Astute class submarine.

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