Royal Navy considers nuclear-powered surface warships

2 comments

1. ***The Telegraph reports:***

   The Royal Navy is considering nuclear-powered surface ships that could stay at sea for years.

   As part of what is understood to be a “long-term” plan, [the Navy](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-navy) has asked the defence industry to explore nuclear power on its surface ships.

   In the UK, nuclear propulsion is [only used on submarines](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/22/nuclear-submarine-aukus-royal-us-navy-indo-pacific/), however the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for updates on the use of Generation IV, an advanced nuclear technology.

   The request will look at how Generation IV nuclear technologies, including larger nuclear reactors and micro-modular reactors, could power surface fleets.

   The US has a number of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, including Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford-class ships. France’s Charles de Gaulle carrier is also nuclear-powered.

   At a cost of $13 billion (£10 billion), the nuclear-powered [USS Gerald R. Ford](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/08/us-to-send-warships-and-fighter-jets-to-help-israel/) was commissioned in 2017 and is the US navy’s newest and costliest warship.

   The Royal Navy’s two aircraft carriers, [HMS Queen Elizabeth](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/05/aircraft-carrier-sailed-emergency-grant-shapps-nato/) and [HMS Prince of Wales](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/14/hms-prince-of-wales-nato-steadfast-defender/), cost £3 billion each. Commissioned in 2017, they are powered by gas and diesel engines. 

   **Read more:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/09/11/royal-navy-considers-nuclear-powered-surface-warships/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/09/11/royal-navy-considers-nuclear-powered-surface-warships/)

2. That’s not gonna happen soon.