A recent investigation has uncovered that software essential to the operation of Britain's nuclear submarines was developed by engineers based in Russia and Belarus, according to a report by The Telegraph.
The software, intended to be created by British IT staff with appropriate security clearances, was instead partially outsourced to developers in Siberia, Russia, and Minsk, Belarus.
An inquiry that began in the summer of 2022 and concluded in February 2023 revealed that Rolls-Royce Submarines, the firm responsible for managing the UK's nuclear submarine fleet, had outsourced the software development to WM Reply, a consulting company. WM Reply subsequently involved Belarusian developers, including one working from Siberia. The firm initially kept this outsourcing a secret and even considered measures to disguise the developers' true locations, including using the names of deceased UK citizens.
Despite these covert actions, Rolls-Royce Submarines has claimed there was no significant national security impact, as WM Reply employees did not access protected server information. However, the fears that the software could be exploited to track Britain's submarines remain a pressing concern.
Britain’s four Vanguard-class nuclear submarines, HMS Vanguard, HMS Vengeance, HMS Victorious, and HMS Vigilant, serve as the country's nuclear deterrent force. The submarines are equipped with Trident 2 D5 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and are based at HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland. Each Vanguard-class submarine, with a full load displacement of 15,900 tons, can carry up to 48 Trident missiles, boasting a range of 4,000 nautical miles (approximately 7,500 km).
The aging Vanguard-class fleet is slated for replacement starting in 2030 by four new Dreadnought-class nuclear submarines currently being constructed by BAE Systems.
