Audacious gets its keel

The fourth Astute class SSN has received it's keel though the question at the moment is how many Astutes will finally be built. The government are promising 7 though that would leave the attack submarine fleet smaller than the MOD has said it needed once the existing S and T class boats are retired over the next few years. Because of the need to get started with the replacement SSBNs it may be more than 7 Astutes could not be built even if the government wanted to, unless they can squeeze some more life out of the Vanguards and squeeze an 8th Astute in.