A new training facility which will be used to help Royal Navy submariners operate the next generation of deterrent submarines currently under construction in Cumbria has officially opened at HM Naval Base Clyde.
The UK’s new Trident Training Facility Extension was opened by Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe, US director of strategic programs.
The Dreadnought Class of submarine will deliver and maintain the UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent which has existed since April 1969.
The Royal Navy’s fleet of four, Barrow-built Vanguard Class submarines currently carry the Trident strategic weapons system.
From early 2030, the Vanguards will be gradually replaced by the new Dreadnought class billed as the most powerful, and technically advanced, submarines ever built for the Royal Navy.
“The Polaris Sales Agreement (PSA) is foundational to the US-UK sea-based strategic deterrence relationship, and crucial to the collective security of our NATO allies,” Vice Admiral Wolfe said.
“It is truly an honour to open this facility in my role as director strategic systems programs and US guardian of that important relationship.
“The legacy of the PSA is built on the relentless dedication of the people who directly support UK and US strategic deterrent programmes.”
Up to 130 Royal Navy submariners will crew each of the new Dreadnought submarines and the new Trident Training Facility Extension will provide the crew, and in particular the weapons engineers, with bespoke training using shore-based equipment exactly replicating that found onboard the Dreadnought vessels.
The new extension will have its first intake of students later this year. The facility completed its testing phase at the end of 2025, 10 weeks ahead of schedule.
Also attending the opening was Rear Admiral Robbie Lauchlan, the UK’s chief strategic systems Executive.
“I would like to say thank you to everyone in the UK who contributed to the new Trident Training Facility, particularly to the Royal Navy and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation for the building and the Submarine Delivery Agency for delivering the complex systems to train on,” said Rear Admiral Lauchlan.
The opening of the TTF Extension is among a host of developments at HM Naval Base Clyde – the home of the UK Submarine Service.
Last year, the Government approved a £270.7m investment package – an initial three-year funding that will be used to adapt and improve infrastructure at the Clyde base, preparing it to welcome the Dreadnought class and the Royal Navy’s next generation of attack submarines.
Part of the improvements on-site also include the construction of four new Single Living Accommodation blocks. The first two, earmarked for submarine students undertaking training at Clyde’s new Royal Navy Submarine Training Centre, are scheduled to open late this year.
2026 is an anniversary year for the Royal Navy Submarine Service which will mark 125 years since the service was formed with the arrival of the UK’s first submarine, Holland 1, which was also built in Barrow.
