Upgrading the MM-38 Exocet SNP sustainer motor has been a funding priority for more than a year. Trident's activities will include routine marine casualty work related to or caused by ship groundings, collisions, fires, pollution, loss of cargoes, and the installation of voyage data recorders. Although little publicized, shipjacking has become a major menace to mercantile ship-operators, particularly in the waters off Southeast Asia and areas of the Northwest Pacific. The first system is scheduled to be delivered in the last quarter of this year. Rolls-Royce has delivered to BAE Systems Marine the largest single component of the propulsion system intended for the Astute herself.
Early delivery assists the shipyard in the installation of pipework.