by Bill Heaney
A NEW TRAINING FACILITY EXTENSION, which will be used to train Royal Navy submariners operating the next generation of deterrent submarines, has officially opened at HM Naval Base Clyde.
The UK’s new Trident Training Facility (TTF) Extension was opened ahead of schedule on March 24th, with Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe, US Director of Strategic Programs (DirSSP), cutting the ribbon.
“The Polaris Sales Agreement (PSA) is foundational to the US-UK sea-based strategic deterrence relationship, and crucial to the collective security of our NATO allies,” said Vice Admiral Wolfe.
“It is truly an honour to open this facility in my role as Director Strategic Systems Programs and US guardian of that important relationship. The legacy of the PSA is built on the relentless dedication of the people who directly support UK and US strategic deterrent programs.”
The UK’s number one defence mission – the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD) – is currently provided by the Royal Navy’s fleet of four Vanguard Class submarines carrying the Trident strategic weapons system.
From early 2030, the Vanguards will be gradually replaced by the new Dreadnought Class – the most powerful, and technically advanced, submarines ever built for the Royal Navy.
Currently under construction at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, the Dreadnought boats will deliver and maintain the UK’s CASD posture, which has existed since April 1969. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent exists to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, which cannot be deterred by other means.
The arrival of the new vessels means new training for those who will “sail” and “fight” the submarine. Up to 130 Royal Navy submariners will crew each of the new Dreadnought submarines and the new Trident Training Facility Extension will provide the crew, and in particular the weapons engineers, with bespoke training using shore-based equipment exactly replicating that found onboard the Dreadnought vessels.
The new TTF Extension will have its first intake of students later this year. The facility completed its testing phase at the end of 2025, ten weeks ahead of schedule.
Also attending the opening of the TTF Extension was Rear Admiral Robbie Lauchlan, the UK’s Chief Strategic Systems Executive (CSSE).
“I would like to say thank you to everyone in the UK who contributed to the new Trident Training Facility, particularly to the Royal Navy and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) for the building and the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) for delivering the complex systems to train on,” said Rear Admiral Lauchlan.
“Today is a proud moment – this is a key milestone on the way towards the next generation of the UK’s Nuclear Deterrent.”
He continued: “But we didn’t do it alone and jointly delivered this essential facility alongside our US partners, exemplifying the strength of the partnership enabled by the Polaris Sales Agreement.”
The opening of the TTF Extension is among a host of developments at HM Naval Base Clyde – the Home of the UK Submarine Service.
Last year, the government approved a £270.7M investment package – an initial three-year funding that will be used to adapt and improve infrastructure at the Clyde base, preparing it to welcome the Dreadnought Class and the Royal Navy’s next generation of attack submarines.
Part of the improvements on-site also include the construction of four new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) blocks. The first two, earmarked for submarine students undertaking training at Clyde’s new Royal Navy Submarine Training Centre (RNSTC), are scheduled to open late this year.
The developments are set to make 2026 an extra special year for the Royal Navy Submarine Service, who are celebrating 125 years since the service was formed with the arrival of the UK’s first submarine, “Holland 1”.