The third Barrow-built Dreadnought submarine will be named HMS Warspite, defence secretary Gavin Williamson has revealed. 

The vessel will its name from the last “great ship” to be built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1595.

It will become the ninth Royal Navy vessel to carry the name as the £31 billion Dreadnought programme continues to forge ahead.

Mr Williamson revealed the new name as he awarded a £235 million contract to Rolls-Royce Submarines to provide support, advice and material required to ensure the continued safety and availability of nuclear power plant systems on board the current fleet of Trafalgar, Vanguard and Astute class submarines until 2022.

Speaking at Rolls-Royce’s site in Raynesway, Derbyshire, the defence secretary said: “This year we mark half-a-century since British nuclear-armed submarines began patrolling waters around the world.

“This would not be possible without the skills and ingenuity of our industry partners who supply and maintain equipment, supporting almost every aspect of the operation.”

The Dreadnought programme replaces the four Vanguard class submarines which have provided a continued at sea deterrent since 1992 with four new cutting-edge vessels.

The first vessel was named HMS Dreadnought while the second is to be called HMS Valiant. The last Royal Navy vessel to carry the name Warspite was the UK’s third nuclear submarine which operated for over 20 years at the height of the Cold War.

The fourth in the class is yet to be named.

Work began on HMS Dreadnought in 2016, when Mr William’s predecessor, The Right Honourable Sir Michael Fallon MP commenced the first metal cut. It is expected to be operational in the early 2030s.

At present there are 2,800 people working exclusively on the Dreadnought programme in Barrow alone, with a further 4,200 more supporting it through the Ministry of Defence and industry.

In December 2018, the Mr Williamson announced a £400m funding boost for the Dreadnought programme alongside a £25m BAE Systems Academy of Skills and Knowledge in Barrow that will upskill employees working on Royal Navy submarines. 

The Barrow site has already seen more than £300m worth of investment to accommodate the construction of submarines which, when built, will measure 152.9m long, with a displacement of 17,200 tonnes.  

More than £300m has been invested in the site to accommodate the Dreadnought build.