UK MoD says AWE sites to revert to public ownership in July 2021
Announcing the decision to renationalise the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in early November, the UK government opted to bring this key element of its nuclear infrastructure back under direct control by the MoD.
Operating from four sites across the UK, the AWE acts as the country’s military nuclear research, design, manufacturing and sustainment facility, assembling and maintaining the warheads that tip the Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
In 1999 the UK government awarded a 25-year contract to AWE Management to support its nuclear warheads. AWE Management is comprised of Lockheed Martin, holding a 51% share, and Serco and Jacobs, holding 24.5% each.
However, a review in 2019 determined that better value for money would be provided to the UK taxpayer if AWE Management was brought under direct government control.
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