The UK is currently committed to replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system at an estimated cost of about £20bn. The decision, which was taken in 2007, provoked the largest revolt among backbench Labour MPs since the Iraq war and will see the UK's four nuclear weapons submarines replaced with new boats from 2024.
On top of the £20bn cost of replacing the vessels - one of which will be on patrol at all times - the government has said Trident's annual running costs will amount to 6% of the £30bn total defence budget over 25 years.
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Replacing/upgrading the Trident missiles and/or their warheads could cost several Billion pounds - on top of the existing 20 Bill.
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't understand why Britain could not have a credible deterrent with Tomahawk cruise missiles. These can be fired from 21-inch torpedo tubes; they are purchased from the US the same as the Tridents; they would enable Britain to replace their never-used (knock on wood) ballistic-missile submarines with new Astute-class subs they will use all the time.
ReplyDeleteGranted, the Tomahawk does not have intercontinental range. But does it need it? Submarines are mobile and the essence of deterrence is that there will be a counterattack. If it takes the submarine a few days or weeks to get within range, that does not lessen the deterrent effect very much.