Q&A · 5:44:10-5:48:48

Selling a Typhoon without displacing a submarine programme

A hypothetical Typhoon sale raises operating and port-access problems, the risk of displacing planned submarines, and the limited value of a single boat.

Question

What would the panel do if each member suddenly owned an armed Typhoon-class submarine?

Short answer

Sale is the main practical preference, with concern that one acquired submarine could displace a planned boat or become an isolated burden.

Notes

The hypothetical ownership of an armed Typhoon-class submarine raises practical objections over running it, registering it, and obtaining port access. Dan would sell it to the British government. Alex Clarke considers competing government bids, partly to avoid a British purchase becoming an excuse to cancel a planned Dreadnought-class submarine. A further objection is that a single ballistic-missile submarine can become a costly isolated asset instead of establishing a useful capability for its buyer.