Breaking News
On Air Skool Reunion 6:00PM to 9:00PM The Isle of Wight in Real Time
Listen Live Listen Online Follow us
Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Facebook Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Twitter
Current Weather
Partly Cloudy
N 4mph
4 mph
Partly Cloudy
15°C

New £1bn Contract For Nuclear Submarines

Sun, 17 June 2012 1:58AM

A new £1bn contract will be announced next week for reactors to power the next generation of Britain's nuclear submarines.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has agreed the deal as part of Government plans to replace the Vanguard fleet that carries the Trident nuclear deterrent.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, the money will be used to build two reactor cores.

One will be used for the seventh Astute Class attack submarine and one for the first of the next generation nuclear deterrent submarines.

It will also be used to fund an 11-year refit of the Rolls-Royce five-year-old plant at Raynesway, Derby, which will carry out the highly-specialised work.

The deal will directly create 300 jobs.

Replacing Britain's nuclear deterrent has proved divisive for the Coalition with Liberal Democrats opposed to "like-for-like" replacement and Conservatives committed to a full renewal of the UK's fleet of four Vanguard-class submarines by 2028.

Lib Dem defence minister Nick Harvey has been conducting a review of possible cheaper alternatives.

The first of the four Vanguards had been due to leave service in 2022, but the Government extended the vessels' lives as part of the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Final decisions about ordering replacements do not have to be taken until 2016, after the next general election.

Last month Mr Hammond awarded contracts worth £350m to UK companies to design the next generation submarines.

A senior defence source said: "This is good news for the Royal Navy and a great boost for jobs. Having balanced the MoD's books we can now get on with ordering major pieces of equipment for the Armed Forces to protect us against future threats."

An MoD spokesman said: "This Government is committed to maintaining a continuous submarine-based nuclear deterrent and announced last May that design work would begin to replace our existing submarines.

"Following a Trident value for money study carried out as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, we are proceeding with initial work to renew the nuclear deterrent, but a final decision will be taken in 2016.

"As part of the Coalition Government agreement a review is also being carried out into alternative systems for maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent."

More National News

Bradford City Promoted To League One

Bradford City Promoted To League One

Sat, 18 May 2013 5:52PM
Honeybees May Help Search For Landmines

Honeybees May Help Search For Landmines

Sat, 18 May 2013 4:21PM
Moon Rocked By Biggest Meteorite Explosion

Moon Rocked By Biggest Meteorite Explosion

Sat, 18 May 2013 3:36PM
US Powerball Lottery Nears Historic Jackpot

US Powerball Lottery Nears Historic Jackpot

Sat, 18 May 2013 3:16PM
Gay Marriage Legal In France Despite Protest

Gay Marriage Legal In France Despite Protest

Sat, 18 May 2013 3:00PM
Briton Drowns In Rough Seas Off Italian Coast

Briton Drowns In Rough Seas Off Italian Coast

Sat, 18 May 2013 2:56PM
Afghanistan Blocks Law Protecting Women

Afghanistan Blocks Law Protecting Women

Sat, 18 May 2013 2:54PM
China Spreads Alternative To US GPS System

China Spreads Alternative To US GPS System

Sat, 18 May 2013 2:54PM
Cameron Ally Calls Tory Activists 'Loons'

Cameron Ally Calls Tory Activists 'Loons'

Sat, 18 May 2013 1:56PM
Slovenia Gets Second Agency Debt Downgrade

Slovenia Gets Second Agency Debt Downgrade

Sat, 18 May 2013 1:55PM

Local News

Transition to new Cowes Enterprise College building begins in September

Transition to new Cowes Enterprise College building begins in September

The transition period for the move to the new building at Cowes Enterprise College will begin in September, according to the new Chair of the Governing Body Rachael Fidler.
Lottie to see her new space for the first time

Lottie to see her new space for the first time

Niton youngster Lottie Rann will get the first look at her new space on Saturday, having spent months in a mainland children's rehabilitation unit.
Bardon Vectis Asphalt Plans Approved

Bardon Vectis Asphalt Plans Approved

The decision was made by a planning officer under delegated powers yesterday (16 May)
Inquest opens into death of man at Alum Bay

Inquest opens into death of man at Alum Bay

The inquest has opened into the death of a man whose body was found at the foot of cliffs at Alum Bay on Wednesday.
Inquest: Shanklin man found by dog walker

Inquest: Shanklin man found by dog walker

The body of a Shanklin man was found by a dog walker, an inquest opening has heard.
Crime doesn't pay as Hampshire Police seize £3.3m

Crime doesn't pay as Hampshire Police seize £3.3m

Police have almost doubled the amount of money claimed back from criminals using the Proceeds of Crime Act in the past year, compared to the previous year.
Fire crews called to Albany prison

Fire crews called to Albany prison

Fire crews have been called to Albany prison, after getting reports of smoke coming from the roof.
Blast Off Hopes For Newport Bar Manager In Lynx Space Competition

Blast Off Hopes For Newport Bar Manager In Lynx Space Competition

A Newport bar manager is preparing for the next stage of a competition that could see him win a trip to space.
Police Commissioner set to appoint assistant on the Isle of Wight

Police Commissioner set to appoint assistant on the Isle of Wight

The search has begun for an Isle of Wight representative to work with Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes.
Channel Rowers Set To Raise Charity Cash

Channel Rowers Set To Raise Charity Cash

The all-women Wight Crew are preparing to leaver Dover in June.