Guidance
UK Royal Navy submarines
The different types of UK nuclear submarine and what they do.
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The SDA is responsible for the procurement, in-service support and disposal of decommissioned UK nuclear submarines. The Royal Navy operates both Attack Submarines (SSN, Ship Submersible Nuclear) and Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN, Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear).
Updates to this page
Published 24 July 2024
Last updated 27 October 2025
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SSN and SSBN have been updated in accordance with NATO APP-20 Standard Ship Designator System.
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Updated 'Types of UK Royal Navy submarine' to reflect that HMS Anson is now in service.
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The name of boat seven has been updated to Achilles in section 1.1 paragraph one.
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First published.