Lockheed Martin obtains another Trident contract modification
Once again, funds for UK strategic nuclear deterrent are included in DoD contract modification, announced shortly before release of first part of Integrated Review.
Lockheed Martin Space has received a $558.84 million sole-source modification from the USN Strategic Systems Programs office, to exercise options for Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) production and deployed systems support.
Work will be performed at multiple US locations for completion by 30 September 2026, the DoD announced on 12 March.
The contract includes $73.75 million in UK funds from the DoD budget. This may add substance to media speculation that the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy — the first part of which will be published by the UK government on 16 March — will set the UK on the path towards increasing the number of nuclear SLBMs in its arsenal.
Other recent Trident contract modifications from the DoD (in December 2020 and 1 March this year, for instance) also earmarked funding for the UK nuclear deterrent.
Trident II D5 missiles are designed to be launched from USN Ohio-class and future Columbia-class submarines, as well as from UK Royal Navy Vanguard-class boats.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
-
![US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks]()
US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks
US military authorities claim to have sunk 20 Iranian vessels and destroyed Tehran’s Air Force, with the Pentagon making plans to send additional assets to the region.
-
![Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus]()
Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus
The recent naval modernisation efforts by the Hellenic Navy have been bolstered by the acquisition of advanced Naval Group frigates, the first of which was delivered in December 2025 and is now playing a crucial role in the latest Middle East conflict.
