Publications
Trident Tested:
what future for Britain's nuclear deterrent?
| Author: | Edward Seed |
| Date of Publication: | December 2006 |
| ISBN: | 1 902622 55 3 |
Britain is debating the future of its strategic nuclear deterrent. The life of the submarines that form the backbone of the existing nuclear force,
Trident, will begin to expire in the early 00s.
Decisions need to be made in the next three to
five years about whether – and how – to replace
Trident.
The report concludes:
- Britain should retain its nuclear deterrent. A unilateral decision to abandon the nuclear capability would be effectively irreversible, would not make the UK any safer, and is unlikely to have any effect on the nuclear programmes or ambitions of other countries.
- Replacing Trident will provide an insurance policy against unknowable future strategic shocks, and comes at a premium which is not especially costly. That said, it is important that a replacement for Trident is commensurate with the UK’s security requirements; there is not a strong case for developing a larger capability.
- The decision to procure technology and materials from the US is a logical move to secure insurance at a reasonable premium, but the government should seek to make further cost savings through reducing the number of submarines, or cutting the number of missile tubes.