# UK nuclear defense and submarine production expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-nuclear-defense-and-submarine-production-expansion > Updated: 2026-09-22T19:26:08.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. The United Kingdom is expanding its nuclear defense cooperation and industrial capacity through various international partnerships. Under the Northwood Declaration, Britain and France have committed to a joint response to extreme threats to Europe. Additionally, the UK is strengthening its AUKUS partnership with the United States and Australia, supported by the docking of HMS Anson at HMAS Stirling. To manage the significant costs of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, which spent £12 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, the Prime Minister is establishing a new House of Commons committee to oversee expenditure. In tandem with these diplomatic ties, the UK and US are accelerating nuclear submarine production. The British government has announced a £6 billion plan to double construction rates, aiming to produce one SSN-AUKUS attack submarine every 18 months by investing in BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce facilities. Meanwhile, the US Navy is targeting a production rate of three submarines per year by 2031, including Virginia-class and Columbia-class vessels. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-22: UK and US accelerate nuclear submarine production plans The UK and US are accelerating nuclear submarine production, with Britain targeting one SSN-AUKUS every 18 months and the US aiming for three submarines annually by 2031. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-and-us-accelerate-nuclear-submarine-production-plans ### 2026-09-20: United Kingdom strengthens nuclear ties with US, France, and Australia Britain is deepening nuclear cooperation with the US, France, and Australia via the Northwood Declaration and AUKUS, while establishing a new House of Commons committee to oversee DNE spending. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-kingdom-strengthens-nuclear-ties-with-us-france-and-australia --- Cite as: UK nuclear defense and submarine production expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-nuclear-defense-and-submarine-production-expansion