UK MoD says AWE sites to revert to public ownership in July 2021
Announcing the decision to renationalise the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in early November, the UK government opted to bring this key element of its nuclear infrastructure back under direct control by the MoD.
Operating from four sites across the UK, the AWE acts as the country’s military nuclear research, design, manufacturing and sustainment facility, assembling and maintaining the warheads that tip the Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
In 1999 the UK government awarded a 25-year contract to AWE Management to support its nuclear warheads. AWE Management is comprised of Lockheed Martin, holding a 51% share, and Serco and Jacobs, holding 24.5% each.
However, a review in 2019 determined that better value for money would be provided to the UK taxpayer if AWE Management was brought under direct government control.
The
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour]()
UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour
A report from the Council on Geostrategy argues the UK should move away from a traditional balanced force and shift investment to naval, air and space capabilities, backed by a larger fleet of attack submarines and deeper AUKUS integration.
-
![Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era]()
Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era
At its technology summit in London, attended by Shephard, Thales UK examined the importance of speed to delivery, the growing focus on cross-domain capabilities and how procurement reform could be crucial for future battlefield advantage.
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
