Ministers ready to cut into nuclear subs fleet

The number of submarines in a new fleet designed to carry the UK's independent nuclear deterrent could be cut from four to three, the defence secretary said -yesterday.

In a sign that ministers are looking at reducing spending on big military programmes, Bob Ainsworth said the government would consider slimming the submarine fleet due to replace the current Vanguard class that carries the Trident-based system.

Mr Ainsworth said the UK would continue to maintain a nuclear deterrent but told Sky News: "If we can provide [the Trident-based system] on sea deterrent with three submarines and not four submarines we will look at that."

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