Labour postpones ordering new nuclear attack submarines until 2028, says Defence Secretary

Labour’s defence policy now indicates that orders for the next-generation nuclear-powered SSN-AUKUS attack submarines will not be placed before 2028, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced in a letter to Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge. While the Defence Investment Plan still envisions up to 12 submarines, the exact hull count will be confirmed only after the design phase concludes in 2028. Streeting added that production would see a new boat delivered roughly every 18 months starting in the mid-2030s, and that the timing shift will not alter the vessels’ entry into service.

Cartlidge dismissed the delay as a “shambles,” arguing the party cannot provide a clear number. The Ministry of Defence affirmed that the commitment to build up to 12 submarines remains intact and that the schedule will not be impacted. The announcement comes amid broader debate over defence spending, with Labour proposing a modest rise to 2.7% of GDP by decade’s end while the opposition seeks a 3% target.