The UK government has announced an £8.4 billion ($11.2 billion) investment to advance the next phase of the Royal Navy's Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarine program, a move aimed at strengthening the country's nuclear deterrent. The investment includes £5.9 billion for BAE Systems, the prime contractor responsible for building the submarines, while the remaining £2.5 billion will be distributed across the wider UK supply chain. According to the government, the investment will support the UK's Defense Nuclear Enterprise, which currently sustains around 47,000 jobs across the country and works with more than 6,000 UK-based companies. The scheme will build on BAE Systems' existing apprenticeship model in the region. The UK's Defense Nuclear Enterprise includes organizations responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the country's nuclear submarine fleet and supporting infrastructure.