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Written question asked by Crispin Blunt (Conservative) on Thursday, 15 October 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 23 October 2015 (named day). It was answered by Philip Dunne (Conservative) on Friday, 23 October 2015 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Trident

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's latest estimate is of (a) the whole life programme cost of the Successor programme, (b) capital costs associated with (i) submarine acquisition, (ii) Trident missile renewal and (iii) basing facilities, (c) the running and support costs of the Successor fleet and associated capability to protect and sustain it, (d) all future costs associated with the Atomic Weapons Establishment maintaining a capability to maintain an on-going nuclear warhead design capability and (e) decommissioning costs.

Original answer

The 2014 Update to Parliament set out an estimate for the Successor submarine acquisition of around £25 billion, based on a four boat solution, spread over some 25 years. These estimates are currently being refreshed to inform the Comprehensive Spending Review and Strategic Defence and Security Review.


Once the new fleet of SSBNs come into service, we expect that the in-service costs of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, which include the costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, basing and disposals, will be similar to the current system, at around six per cent of the defence budget.


While we have no plans to replace the current Trident D5 missile, we are participating with our US partners in a programme to extend the current life to the 2060s. The estimated cost is around £250 million.

The answer was corrected by Philip Dunne (Conservative)

on Monday, 11 April 2016 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Corrected answer

The 2014 Update to ParliamentThe May 2011 Initial Gate Parliamentary Report set out an estimate for the Successor submarine acquisition of around £25 billion, based on a four boat solution, spread over some 25 years. These estimates are currently being refreshed to inform the Comprehensive Spending Review and Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Once the new fleet of SSBNs come into service, we expect that the in-service costs of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, which include the costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, basing and disposals, will be similar to the current system, at around six per cent of the defence budget.

While we have no plans to replace the current Trident D5 missile, we are participating with our US partners in a programme to extend the current life to the 2060s. The estimated cost is around £250 million.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
12151
Session
2015-16
Related items
Nuclear Submarines: Iron and Steel
Thursday, 5 November 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Costs Nuclear submarines Trident Trident missiles
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk