“The programme to replace the nuclear deterrent is very tight and has little scope to deal with delays. There are still major areas of uncertainty in the budget”.

“The MoD’s track record in buying submarines is not good and the saga over the long-delayed Astute submarines raises questions over whether the MoD can deliver the new submarines on time and on budget”.

Mr Bacon was speaking as the National Audit Office published its report into the UK’s future nuclear deterrent today.  The programme to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent beyond the life of the current Trident system is in its early stages and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is currently in a two-year concept phase for the new class of submarines.  Decisions over the design of the new class of submarine must be taken by September 2009 if the project is to remain on track. 

The report also finds that, although the MoD has made good progress in establishing programme management arrangements, the timetable is challenging with very little room for delay.  There are five key areas of risk to be maintained: meeting a challenging timetable; making decisions about the design on time; ensuring effective governance arrangements; developing a robust budget and exerting financial control; and applying effective procurement practices.  Although these risks are interdependent, each alone has the capability to undermine the ability of the MoD to deliver continuous at sea deterrence. 

The £3.8 billion project to design and build three Astute-class hunter-killer submarines has been dogged by delays, rising costs and rows between the MoD and BAE Systems.  The contract for the first three submarines was signed in 1997 but the first, HMS Astute, is not expected to enter service until 2009.

5 November 2008

See also:
NAO REPORT: The United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent

---

Printable Version

Go to Top

Back to Parliament

---