UK’s largest-ever nuclear submarine that can carry 144 warheads enters construction
The HMS Dreadnought will displace 17,000 tonnes of water and could carry a crew of 130.
The British Royal Navy has laid the keel for its largest-ever nuclear submarine.
Traditionally, governments have held ceremonies for the laying of the keel on notable projects, as it signifies the start of construction. The keel is the bottom-most structure of a ship.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended the laying of the keel for HMS Dreadnought.
The new nuclear submarine is being built at BAE System’ Barrow-in-Furness facility. In this case, the laying of the keel is largely symbolic, as large sections of HMS Dreadnought have already been built.
The ‘most advanced boats of their kind’
The HMS Dreadnought will be a nuclear-powered and armed submarine. According to a Royal Navy press release, the submarine will displace “17,000 tonnes, [will be] the length of 14 buses and [will have] a crew of around 130.”
This will make HMS Dreadnoughts “the most advanced boats of their kind in service anywhere.”
The nuclear submarine will feature a Rolls-Royce PWR3 nuclear reactor paired with an advanced pump-jet system. It will be armed with 12 Trident II D5 SLBMs with a range of about 7,500 miles (12,000 km). The nuclear submarine will have the capacity to carry as many as 144 nuclear warheads.