Editing Polaris Sales Agreement (section)

==Outcome==
{{main|UK Polaris programme}}
The two liaison officers were appointed in April; Captain Peter la Niece became the Royal Navy project officer in Washington, D.C., while Captain Phil Rollings became the US Navy project officer in London. The Joint Steering Task Group held its first meeting in Washington on 26 June 1963.{{sfn|Priest|2005|p=358}} The shipbuilding programme would prove to be a remarkable achievement, with the four {{sclass|Resolution|submarine|0}} submarines built on time and within the budget.{{sfn|Stoddart|2012|p=34}} The first boat, {{HMS|Resolution|S22|6}} was launched in September 1966, and commenced its first deterrent patrol in June 1968.{{sfn|Ludlam|2008|p=257}} The annual running costs of the Polaris boats came to around two per cent of the defence budget, and they came to be seen as a credible deterrent that enhanced Britain's international status.{{sfn|Stoddart|2012|p=34}} Along with the more celebrated 1958 US–UK Mutual Defence Agreement, the Polaris Sales Agreement became a pillar of the nuclear Special Relationship between Britain and the United States.{{sfn|Stoddart|2008|p=89}}{{sfn|Hare|2008|p=190}}