Guidance

UK Royal Navy submarines

The different types of UK nuclear submarine and what they do.

• From: Defence Nuclear Enterprise and Submarine Delivery Agency
• Published: 24 July 2024
• Last updated: 27 October 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 27 October 2025

     SSN and SSBN have been updated in accordance with NATO APP-20 Standard Ship Designator System.

  2. 11 August 2025

     Updated 'Types of UK Royal Navy submarine' to reflect that HMS Anson is now in service.

  3. 19 February 2025

     The name of boat seven has been updated to Achilles in section 1.1 paragraph one.

  4. 24 July 2024

     First published.

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Types of UK Royal Navy submarine

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The DNE is responsible for the procurement, in-service support and disposal of decommissioned UK nuclear submarines. The Royal Navy operates both Attack Submarines (SSN) and Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN).