The Royal Navy faces a stark choice as its nuclear attack submarine fleet shrinks amidst a growing Royal Navy submarine crisis. Former commanders are now breaking taboos by advocating for diesel-electric alternatives. Last year, only two submarines were operational for much of the time. Chronic maintenance delays continue to plague the fleet. Experts warn that Britain’s undersea warfare capabilities are reaching a critical point. Moreover, the crisis is deepening.
Former naval officer Tom Sharpe reveals how discussing conventional submarines was once career-ending heresy in Royal Navy circles. But the harsh mathematics of defense spending have forced a rethink, especially in light of the Royal Navy’s submarine crisis. While the UK maintains five nuclear-powered attack submarines, two are under construction. However, the ideal fleet would number twelve to maintain global coverage. At current funding levels, with defense spending barely reaching 2.5% of GDP, this appears impossible.
Diesel-electric boats offer compelling advantages in the current climate of Royal Navy submarine crises. They operate at whisper-quiet levels on battery power, costing just a quarter of their nuclear counterparts. Additionally, they can access shallow waters like the Baltic and Persian Gulf that exclude larger SSNs. Their smaller crews and shorter patrols could help rebuild operational experience. This has been eroding across the submarine service.
The proposal isn’t without controversy. Nuclear submarines remain the gold standard for blue-water operations, with unmatched endurance and firepower. But with the AUKUS replacement program years away, and existing Astute-class boats spending more time in dock than at sea due to the Royal Navy submarine crisis, the Navy may need to embrace a mixed fleet approach. As Sharpe notes: “When you have zero operational submarines, any alternative deserves serious consideration.”
The debate highlights wider defense procurement challenges, where aspirations for cutting-edge platforms consistently outstrip budgets. With recruitment crises compounding material shortages, the Royal Navy’s submarine service may need to compromise on purity of capability. This is to maintain operational capacity amid the ongoing crisis.
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