THE Government has announced an £85 million investment into a new fleet of submarines that will support hundreds of jobs at the shipyard.

Design work for the next-generation of Royal Navy submarines is under way following the award of two contracts to UK industry, the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced.

BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce have been awarded contracts to deliver design and concept work for a future class of nuclear submarine.

The programme is due to support around 250 jobs at Barrow's shipyard.

The contracts will deliver design work for a new class of submarines to replace the Astute class of submarines – the nuclear powered fleet of submarines currently in service with the Royal Navy.

Ben Wallace said: “Marking the start of a new journey for the Royal Navy’s submarines, British designers and engineers will lead the way in developing submarines for our Royal Navy.

“This multi-million pound investment ensures that this vital capability will be ready to replace our Astute class submarines as they come out of service, whilst supporting high-skilled jobs across the Midlands and North West of England.”

Submarine Delivery Agency CEO Ian Booth said: “Designing and building submarines is one of the most complex and challenging feats of engineering that the maritime industry undertakes.

“It is essential that work on the next generation underwater capability commences as early as possible.

"This relies on some of the nation’s most experienced defence nuclear experts from the very beginning of the design phase.”

The contract with BAE will sustain around hundreds of roles to develop the platform design and delivery arrangements.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, recently announced a £24 billion increase in defence spending over the next four years.

Officials say the contracts build upon commitments outlined in the recent Defence Command Paper ensuring that the Royal Navy has a world-leading underwater capability prepared to meet future threats.

So far four Astute class submarine have left Barrow shipyard.

HMS Audacious, set sail from Barrow in April 2020.

The Astute class boats are described as the 'largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy'.