Amentum JV Wins 14-Year, $406M Contract to Build UK's First Small Modular Reactors

A major US-led joint venture has secured a pivotal, long-term contract to construct the United Kingdom's inaugural fleet of small modular reactors (SMRs). The Amentum-led consortium has been awarded a 14-year, $406 million contract, marking a significant financial and strategic commitment to this next-generation nuclear technology. This deal positions the JV at the forefront of the UK's ambitious nuclear energy strategy, which aims to enhance energy security and meet decarbonization targets through scalable, factory-built reactors.

The contract, valued at nearly half a billion dollars, is a direct investment in the development and deployment of the UK's first SMRs. Amentum, a prominent US engineering and project management firm, will lead the joint venture in delivering this critical infrastructure project. The 14-year term underscores the project's complexity and long-term operational scope, moving beyond initial design into sustained execution and likely maintenance. This award signals strong institutional confidence in the consortium's capability to deliver a foundational piece of the nation's future energy grid.

The success of this program carries substantial implications for the UK's energy independence, industrial policy, and climate goals. It represents a key test for the commercial viability of SMR technology in a major Western economy. The project will face intense scrutiny regarding timelines, cost control, and regulatory compliance, with its outcomes likely influencing global SMR adoption and future energy contracts across Europe and North America.