The UK government has announced a £15 billion investment in its nuclear warhead programme, ensuring the safety of 9,000 jobs at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in Aldermaston. This funding will support upgrades to the UK’s defence systems, including the addition of 12 new attack submarines.
This announcement accompanies the release of the Strategic Defence Review, which aims to strengthen the UK’s national security amid growing global threats.
Defence Secretary John Healey praised the “essential and unique work” carried out at AWE, which is responsible for producing Britain’s Trident nuclear warheads and managing nuclear waste from Royal Navy submarines.
AWE highlighted that the government’s Defence Spending Review includes significant investment to modernize its infrastructure. The organisation noted that its nuclear warhead programme involves some of the UK’s most advanced science, engineering, and manufacturing facilities.
Prime Minister emphasized the changing global landscape, citing recent events in Ukraine and Russia’s actions as reasons for the UK to enhance its defence readiness.
Reading West and Mid Berkshire MP Olivia Bailey welcomed the investment, calling it “vital to this country’s national security” and “transformational” for her constituency. She noted that the funding would not only modernize Aldermaston’s infrastructure but also support thousands of jobs in the local defence supply chain.
Ms Bailey expressed pride in representing a constituency central to the UK’s defence sector and said the investment reinforces its critical role in national security.
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