One new sub every 18 months? It's just impossible, says former submarine captain
The Strategic Defence Review outlines a Government plan to build up to 12 new attack submarines at the rate of one every 18 months.
The Prime Minister made the SDR announcement, which would involve scaling up production in Barrow-in-Furness under the Aukus project.
But how realistic is this timetable, given the limited construction facilities the UK currently has?
Former submarine captain Ryan Ramsey says while he welcomes the proposal, he thinks building new submarines at such a rapid pace may be over-ambitious.
According to Mr Ramsey, the heart of the problem lies with the UK's capacity to build submarines.
Construction is currently only possible at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.
"There's no way at the moment that the UK could manage to create one submarine every 18 months," he said.
"It's just impossible... the defence infrastructure… the build infrastructure, the people required to build these submarines just don't exist.
"I think we need to be realistic about that, rather than rhetoric that we don't fulfil and then manage the gap until that capability is available."
What other options may work better?
Mr Ramsey wholeheartedly agrees that the UK does need more submarines.
But he thinks there could be better options to acquire them faster.
"You do need some nuclear-powered attack submarines, but also conventional submarines, air independent propulsion submarines, they would also fill a void and probably do it quicker than… the nuclear option," he said.
"There are conventional submarines available from other nations that can produce them quicker than we can.
"If you wanted to fill the void rapidly, which is what we need to do to counter resurgent Russia in the underwater battle space, you need to turn around and look at other capabilities and bring those in, alongside our own defence industrial strategy."
Potential problems manning extra subs
Recruitment and retention is problematic for the Royal Navy, but even more so for its submarine crews.
"The Submarine Service is an outstanding career, but it’s not for everyone," said Mr Ramsey.
But he believes it could be possible to turn the situation around.
"There needs to be a concerted effort to show just how important and how amazing a career in the Submarine Service can be.
"This is a time of conflict, it's a time of uncertainty, but actually to be able to be in the military now, preparing for all these things is very, very exciting," he added.
"The world is uncertain and the degree of certainty provided in defence by the Submarine Service is huge."
A positive move
However, Mr Ramsey says boosting the UK's submarine fleet is long overdue and much needed.
"What the announcement today says is that we're going to expand the Submarine Service and that's good news," he said.
"The Submarine Service is the first line and last line of defence for the UK and needs investment.
"The Russian threat is real, the underwater threat is real and needs to be countered."
He also welcomes the new technology and capabilities that will come with the new attack class of submarines, including a vertical launch system, a first for the Royal Navy.
"I think that's really positive that we've turned around and learned the lesson… and said actually we can have more capability by having vertical launch systems," he added.
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