The UK government has signed a contract worth approximately $11.5 billion (£9 billion) with Rolls-Royce to develop nuclear reactors for submarines. The project aims to support the maintenance and modernization of Britain’s nuclear submarine fleet. The contract includes the design, production, and maintenance of nuclear systems, which officials claim will create thousands of jobs and strengthen national defense.

Although not officially part of the Dreadnought program, the contract aligns with broader fleet modernization efforts, including the replacement of Vanguard-class submarines. The Dreadnought program remains one of the UK’s most expensive and strategically vital initiatives.

However, experts warn of risks related to insufficient financial transparency in defense spending. Analysts from Transparency International point out that large defense deals often face hidden budget reallocations, particularly due to limited oversight of military expenditures.

Media reports have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of transparency in UK defense procurement. In 2022, the National Audit Office (NAO) revealed inflated costs in contracts with BAE Systems, sparking public debate over the justification for such spending.

Rolls-Royce has previously been involved in international anti-corruption investigations. In 2017, the company agreed to pay over £670 million to settle bribery allegations in Brazil, Indonesia, and other countries. Despite government assurances of compliance with transparency standards, the absence of detailed reporting on current expenditures under this new contract has drawn criticism from observers and NGOs.