Defence Secretary Ben Wallace MP released a statement on new plans to replace Britain’s nuclear warhead.
Ben Wallace MP released a statement announcing the programme to replace the country’s nuclear warhead in order to adapt to future threats. In 2007 the government, endorsed by a Parliamentary vote, began a programme to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent beyond the early 2030s.
The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (Cm 9161) confirmed the UK’s commitment to an independent minimum credible deterrent, reaffirmed in 2016 when the House voted overwhelmingly to maintain the Continuous At Sea Deterrence posture. The government’s 2019 manifesto pledged: ‘We will maintain our Trident nuclear deterrent, which guarantees our security’.
To ensure they maintain a deterrent throughout the commission of the Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarine the government are replacing the existing nuclear warhead to respond to future threats and the security environment. As set out in the annual updates to Parliament on the Future of the UK’s Nuclear Deterrent the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Nuclear Organisation is working with the Atomic Weapons Establishment: to build the teams and put in place the facilities and capabilities needed to deliver the replacement warhead; whilst also sustaining the current warhead until it is withdrawn from service.
Delivery of the replacement warhead will be subject to the government’s major programme approvals and oversight. The Department of Defence will continue to provide updates through the annual report to Parliament on the United Kingdom’s future nuclear deterrent and will continue to work closely with the U.S. to ensure the British warhead remains compatible with the Trident Strategic Weapon System.
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