Summary
Since 1969, the Ministry of Defence (the Department) has maintained a submarine-based nuclear deterrent to support the government’s national security policy. Over the next 10 years, it faces significant pressures to provide the network of programmes, equipment and people, often termed the ‘Nuclear Enterprise’ (the Enterprise), necessary to provide this continuous at sea deterrent. At a time when, across the Enterprise, major organisational and governance changes have still to take full effect, the Department needs to bridge a £2.9 billion affordability gap, ensure it fills identified skills gaps, sustain its supply chain, and make important decisions on significant, high–profile projects. These include infrastructure upgrades and the defueling and dismantling of the 20 submarines held by the UK. If these complex interdependencies are not managed, alongside the many contractual relationships on which the Enterprise depends, the Department’s ability to provide the continuous at sea deterrent will be put at risk.
Published: 21 September 2018