On present plans, which are regularly reviewed, the number of Attack submarines in each year is as follows:
Number of vessels 2009 8 2010 8 2011 7 2012 7 2013 7 2014 7 2015 7 2016 7 2017 7 2018 7
From 2011 onwards there will be occasions when we briefly have eight submarines in service, as the Astute class gradually replaces the Swiftsures and Trafalgars, but the number will usually be seven.