The UK will build 12 nuclear submarines to counter Russia, the UK Cabinet has announced.
It is noted that the fleet will be expanded with nuclear-powered SSN-AUKUS submarines with conventional weapons. They will be developed within the framework of AUKUS - a military alliance between Australia, the UK and the United States.
„Our exceptional submariners are on duty 24/7 to keep the UK and our allies safe. "However, we know that threats are growing and we must act decisively to counter the Russian threat," said UK Defence Secretary John Healy.
The official announcement of the submarines will be made by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 2 as part of the presentation of the Strategic Review of Defence. The document, which has been in preparation for several months, will contain 62 recommendations to strengthen defence and will list the main threats to the country.
“This Strategic Defence Review will ensure that the UK is prepared for modern challenges and that our armed forces are equipped to provide security at home“, read excerpts from the Prime Minister's upcoming speech.
In response to the recommendations of the review's developers, the government will make certain commitments. These include moving to a state of readiness to conduct military operations to deter threats and strengthen security in the Euro-Atlantic area, increasing ammunition stocks, purchasing up to 7,000 UK-made long-range weapons, creating a new cyber command and improving the lives of British servicemen.
The Russian Embassy in the UK has said that Russia does not threaten the UK. According to the diplomatic mission, with such statements the British authorities “persistently divert attention from the worsening socio-economic problems in the country“ and “trying to justify increased military spending in the context of tightening budget constraints“.