The UK Government awarded BAE Systems a £5.9 billion (approximately $7.8 billion) contract to continue developing the Dreadnought-class nuclear submarines, which will replace the aging Vanguard fleet starting in the early 2030s. The contract supports critical work on the Royal Navy's next-generation strategic deterrent.
Dr Charles Woodburn, chief of Europe's largest defense contractor BAE Systems, warned that military attack threats have never been higher and the UK is complacent about defense spending. He expressed concern about autonomous lethal weapons being developed by nations that may not maintain human control.