On Monday, 24 November 2025, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) published the U.S. Department of State’s approval for a potential sale to the United Kingdom of eight NMT (Navy Multiband Terminal) satellite communication terminals for the future Dreadnought-class strategic submarines, in a package worth up to 200 million USD.
NMT antenna / Photo: RTX
According to the published information, the government in London requested authorization to procure six NMT terminals that will be added to the previously requested two systems worth up to 41.02 million USD, which is a value below the Congressional notification threshold (which are already in production under the contract dated 25 September of this year).
Additionally, the package includes the following non-MDE (Major Defense Equipment) items: KGV-136R encrypted communication modules, communication equipment, high-capacity radio antenna hoist masts, auxiliary equipment, containers, integration and test support, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor (RTX Corporation) engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related logistics and program support elements.
Satelita AEHF / Image: Lockheed Martin
NMT terminals are advanced maritime multiband terminals designed for communication with the five U.S. strategic satellites of the AEHF (Advanced Extremely High Frequency) constellation. They enable secure transmission of data, voice, and video at speeds ranging from 75 bit/s to 8 Mbit/s in the Q, Ka, and X bands. In addition to the U.S. Navy, the terminals have also previously been contracted by Australia, Canada, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The United Kingdom joined the NMT program, launched in 2007, with plans to integrate the terminals into the successors of the Vanguard-class strategic submarines: HMS Vanguard (S28), Victorious (S29), Vigilant (S30), and Vengeance (S31). On 11 November 2011, the first funds for this purpose were released.
Dreadnought / Image: BAE Systems
The NMT terminals will be installed on four future Dreadnought-class submarines: HMS Dreadnought (steel cutting took place on 6 October 2016 and keel was laid on 20 March 2025), Valiant (steel cutting: September 2019), Warspite (steel cutting: 9 February 2023), and King George VI (steel cutting: 22 September 2025). Construction of all four is expected to take around 20 years. The submarines will be 153.6 m long, 12.8 m wide, 12 m high, and will displace 17,200 tonnes each. They will be the largest submarines in the history of the United Kingdom.
They will be powered by a Rolls-Royce PWR3 pressurized-water reactor, and will have a crew of 120 officers and sailors. Their armament will include 12 modernized UGM-133 Trident II D5LE submarine-launched ballistic missiles and four 533 mm tubes for Spearfish Mod 1 heavyweight torpedoes.
The NMT terminals will enable secure, covert communications between Royal Navy command and these nuclear-armed submarines.
See also: