More nuclear submarines for the Clyde

According to a report in the Scotsman the Ministry of Defence is shortly to announce that the new Astute class nuclear submarines will be based at Faslane rather than Devonport in Plymouth.

There are currently three of these submarines under construction. The first is expected to enter service in 2005, and the others in 2007 and 2009. The published cost of all three vessels is around £2,000 million.

The submarines are planned to have a 30 year life, which would mean that the MoD plan to have nuclear submarines at Faslane until 2039.

The vessels are nuclear powered but conventionally armed. Their primary role will be the protection of Trident submarines. They will also be armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles.

"The last thing we want is more nuclear submarines on the Clyde" said John Ainslie, Administrator of Scottish CND.

The Astute class are powered by the same PWR2 nuclear reactor as the Trident submarines. These reactors are designed to operate for more years than the predecessors. But stretching the life of the reactor full core means that the effects of a nuclear accident would be more serious. In order to run for longer the reactor contains more Highly Enriched Uranium.