DEFENCE giant BAE Systems has been awarded a further £315m from the Government for ongoing design work to be carried out in Cumbria on the replacement to the Royal Navy’s Vanguard-class nuclear submarines.
It follows an initial £328m design phase contract made by the Ministry of Defence earlier this year.
The Vanguard class, which carries the UK’s nuclear deterrent, will be replaced from 2028, with 1,000 employees now working on the programme, mainly at Barrow-in-Furness.
BAE Systems Maritime submarines managing director John Hudson said: “The design of a nuclear-powered submarine is one of the most complex and technically demanding engineering programmes undertaken by the maritime industry. This further work underlines the MoD’s confidence in our ability to deliver a design that will meet the future needs of the nation’s nuclear deterrent. The design phase is gathering momentum, and behind the scenes we are working hard to maintain this by ensuring we have the correct skills and resources in place.
“While more than 1,000 people are involved in the programme, we continue to recruit many more professional design engineers.” BAE Systems has announced plans to recruit another 280 employees onto the programme, saying it needs mechanical, electrical power, propulsion, quality and safety engineers, as well as naval architects.
The current Vanguard class comprises four submarines: HMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance; all of which were designed and built at Barrow-in-Furness.
