Tag: AUKUS

UK Hands Over Uncrewed Submarine to Royal Navy

XV Excalibur XLUUV | Photo: Submarine Delivery Agency, UK Ministry of Defence

The Royal Navy has received XV Excalibur, the UK’s first extra-large uncrewed submarine, following a series of long-range control demonstrations and a world-first quantum navigation trial. The 12-metre, 19-tonne vessel will undergo two years of sea testing as the UK expands autonomous undersea capabilities under Project Cetus and wider defence initiatives.

UK plans up to 12 SSN-AUKUS attack submarines

The cover of the 2023 UK report on AUKUS | Source: Crown Copyright, licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce on Monday ‘the UK’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded, with up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS boats to be built,’ as his government publishes a long-awaited Strategic Defence Review (SDR).