Royal Navy's new submarines are too fat to fit – but work's underway to fix it

The new Dreadnought-class submarines will be the most powerful the Royal Navy has ever seen - but they will also be the biggest.

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard, who earlier this month pointed out that they would be "too fat to fit" into the existing berths, told BFBS Forces News work was now in hand to address that.

He said: "We need to design the best, most capable submarines. The problem is in recent years we haven't been investing in the support facilities that make them able to be serviced properly.

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"Now, as the MP for Devonport, I know that we are investing in the new docks and submarine support facilities that we have there."

Mr Pollard said that would mean thousands of extra jobs.

"What we've got as a government is now a policy that says yes, we will invest in new submarines, but we will also invest in the support facilities that keeps them at sea," he explained.

"Because if we only do one or the other, we run the risk of not having the capabilities available when we need them."

Mr Pollard said work was already underway in Devonport.

"If you were to see the submarine docks, you'll be able to see the investment that's going into the new submarine berths there. Now, this is a long-term investment in our capabilities to keep our boats at sea," he said.

Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle was asked earlier this week how many docks in the UK are able to hold Dreadnought-class submarines for repairs and maintenance.

She said: "There is a strategy in place to upgrade infrastructure and provide suitable docking for the new Dreadnought-class submarines across existing UK naval bases and dockyards.

"For operational security reasons further details cannot be released as to do so could be used to undermine the security and capability of our Armed Forces."

Mr Pollard also spoke about Sir Keir Starmer's recent visit to welcome home the crew of HMS Vanguard after their long deployment in the North Atlantic.

"It's not just the submarines that matter, it's the submariners and those ashore that support those boats that guarantee our security in terms of our nuclear deterrent," he insisted.

"And as a minister of the Armed Forces, I'm proud of the work that they undertake, and that is why the Prime Minister was there to thank them himself for their dedication and service."