Defence cuts "weakening effect of nuclear deterrent"

Vice-Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham said cuts may leave a gap where future enemies could call Britain’s bluff, judging the UK would be unwilling to ever use a "disproportionate" nuclear response to a conventional attack.

He said the nuclear deterrent was "not a substitute for conventional capabilities", which had been badly hit by recent Government cost-cutting.

He also warned the costly process of replacing the submarines carrying the Trident deterrent could pose a "severe challenge to the shrinking UK defence industry".

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