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<p><del class="ministerial">The 2014 Update to Parliament</del><ins class="ministerial">The
May 2011 Initial Gate Parliamentary Report</ins> set out an estimate for the Successor
submarine acquisition of around £25 billion, based on a four boat solution, spread
over some 25 years. These estimates are currently being refreshed to inform the Comprehensive
Spending Review and Strategic Defence and Security Review.</p><p> </p><p>Once the
new fleet of SSBNs come into service, we expect that the in-service costs of the UK’s
nuclear deterrent, which include the costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, basing
and disposals, will be similar to the current system, at around six per cent of the
defence budget.</p><p> </p><p>While we have no plans to replace the current Trident
D5 missile, we are participating with our US partners in a programme to extend the
current life to the 2060s. The estimated cost is around £250 million.</p>
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