About us
Our mission is to keep safe and capable submarines at sea, maintain our nuclear warheads and deliver the nuclear deterrent to protect national and global security.
The Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) is a partnership of organisations that operate, maintain, renew and sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
Part of the Ministry of Defence, it includes Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO), Royal Navy, AWE Nuclear Security Technologies and Sheffield Forgemasters.
Civil industry partners also form part of the DNE, including:
- BAE Systems - manufacture all the UK’s current submarines
- Babcock International - maintain UK submarines
- Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd - provide the submarine propulsion systems
The DNE is jointly led by First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins KCB OBE ADC RM and Chief of Defence Nuclear, Madelaine McTernan CB.
Responsibilities
The DNE is responsible for some of the most complex and technologically advanced projects ever undertaken by the UK. Ranging in scope and scale, they include:
- providing the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Read our guidance on the UK’s nuclear deterrent
- delivering the UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD) - ensuring at least one nuclear-armed submarine is on patrol at all times to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and that of our NATO allies
- delivering safe, capable and available submarines. This includes operating and maintaining the Astute and Vanguard Class submarine fleet and delivering the upcoming Dreadnought Class
- maintaining and renewing the UK’s nuclear warhead stockpile
- managing the safe decommissioning and dismantling of retired submarines
- advising on UK nuclear policy, planning and international cooperation on nuclear matters
A National Endeavour
The DNE supports more than 47,000 jobs across the UK, with this figure set to rise to 65,000 over the next decade. Defence nuclear work spans every region of Great Britain, from shipbuilding in Barrow-in-Furness to submarine maintenance in Plymouth and deterrent operations from HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.
We work closely with our partners in the DNE to offer a range of schemes designed to support:
- apprenticeships or graduates
- military leavers
- and those looking to transition back into a STEM career
Find out more about DNE careers and pathways.
Our commitment to safety
Safety is fundamental to everything the DNE does. The Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator provides independent oversight of nuclear safety across the Enterprise, working closely with statutory regulators including the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.